Put Lives Before Tobacco Revenue, Hichilema Urged as Groups Demand New Law

The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TFAZ) and other public health organisations have called on President Hakainde Hichilema to urgently assent to the Tobacco Control Bill, warning that delays in strengthening tobacco regulations could leave more Zambians exposed to preventable diseases, including lung cancer.

The appeal comes as Zambia joins the rest of the world in marking Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November.

In a statement issued on November 11, the organisations argued that protecting human lives must take priority over the revenue Government collects from the tobacco industry.

They questioned the value of tobacco-related income when families continue losing loved ones to smoking-related illnesses.

The groups said the Bill had already received overwhelming support in Parliament and urged the President to complete the legislative process.

The organisations highlighted the dangers of tobacco smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.

Citing research, they said approximately 85% of lung cancer cases are associated with smoking and warned that tobacco smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals capable of damaging human DNA.

They also expressed concern about the growing burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases on Zambia’s healthcare system.

While welcoming Government’s efforts to improve specialist cancer treatment, the groups stressed that prevention is just as important as treating patients after they become ill.

They called for stronger tobacco control measures, public awareness and protection for non-smokers, arguing that effective legislation could reduce avoidable illnesses and deaths.

The organisations maintained that Zambia must act now to protect future generations rather than continue bearing the human and financial costs of tobacco-related diseases.