Zambia Tobacco Control Bill Petition
Thank you for your interest in building a healthier, soberer, and more productive Zambia that is free from the devastating effects of Tobacco.
Together, we are making our country better!
About the Petition
THE TROUBLE WITH TOBACCO
Tobacco is a killer. It destroys lives. It ravages the environment. It retrogresses economic strides. Tobacco of different forms endanger the lives of children and youths. And with the new products of tobacco many youths are lost to addictions and long-term ruin. Zambia desperately needs to enact the Tobacco Control Bill in order to curb the notorious repercussions born from the consumption of tobacco products.
Tobacco kills over 7,000 Zambians every year. That’s 7,000 loved ones taken from their families, communities and workplaces nationwide. Smoking injures the quality of life, kills you slowly but surely, wastes your money, affects those around you with second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke threatens non-smokers too.
WHERE IS THE BILL RIGHT NOW?
As at 17th July 2023, the Draft Tobacco Control Bill is still in the hands of the Minister of Justice.
WHAT NEXT?
When the Minister of Justice decides to hand-over the Bill through Cabinet it shall undergo 2 internal processing meetings within Cabinet then submit it to Parliament for introduction, readings and final enactment.
WHO ARE WE PETITIONING?
We are petitioning Government to hasten the bill process from cabinet to parliament. When the process is delayed it leaves loopholes which lead to compromise of the content and sometimes corruption of process agents. This has happened in many countries before, with the same Tobacco Control Bill process. The local experience points to similar traits for Zambia, considering that this bill has not come through to passing since 15 years ago.
CONTACT
Social Change Activist
Master Chimbala SURGE
PHONE: 0974586339
EMAIL: surge@chimbala.com
Why this Petition? Check out these facts:
1
TOBACCO KILLS OVER 7,000 ZAMBIANS EVERY YEAR
With no exception, Tobacco ravages the lives of its victims through endless series of financial, emotional, and psycho-social pains among the individuals, their families and communities. In the end, we lose them to death.
2
ZAMBIA LOSES OVER K2.8B ANNUALY DUE TO TOBACCO
Tobacco causes massive loses in various sectors totaling over Two Billion Eight Hundred Thousand Kwacha every year. This continues to cripple and retrogress economic strides in the current and the future development prospects.
3
300,000 MORE ZAMBIANS BECOMING SMOKERS BY 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Zambia would experience 300,000 new smokers by 2025. This represents hefty health costs, heavy economic loses, depleted production capacity and decreased quality of life.
4
ZAMBIA IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERFERED COUNTRIES
Zambia is currently ranked 72 out of 80 countries participating in the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, especially on Benefits to the tobacco industry, Conflict of interest and Preventive measures, plus legislation derailment.
5
TOBACCO CREATES MORE HARM THAN ANY CLAIMED GOOD TO THE ECONOMY
The tobacco industry siphons profits to international shareholders, injures economic growth and government budgets, leaving the Zambian people and the government to contend with the heavy health burden.
6
Green Tobacco Sickness
Green tobacco sickness occurs when nicotine is absorbed through the skin as farmers are handling the uncured tobacco-leaves with symptoms including heat exhaustion and pesticide poisoning. Protective clothing may reduce the risks, but with rains, dew, and perspiration our farmers remain at endangered.
7
second-hand smoke kills over 800 Zambians every year
No one is safe. Not the unborn child, the pregnant mother, the child waking to school, the community, Church service, or an assembly of community members, NO! Second hand smoke endangers EVERYONE because tobacco toxins are daily on surfaces and in the air.
8
TOBACCO AND CHILD LABOUR
Tobacco farming is labour-intensive. Children are often engaged in Tobacco farming which causes them to miss out on school, thus compromising their education and future. They are also likely to contract tobacco-related illnesses due to tobacco exposure during farming, harvesting and processing.
9
tobacco causes great harm on the environment
Tobacco harms the environment at every stage of production and consumption, from farming to disposal of the final product. Globally, the tobacco industry is responsible for 84 million tones of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and massive tree-cutting.
10
Deadly affordability of tobacco in Zambia Lures even under-age consumers
Tobacco products are so affordable that young people acquire these products for their daily use. Unfortunately, this also includes tobacco consumption devices. The low prices also cause early initiation of young people into tobacco-use.
11
TOBACCO PRODUCTS ARE DANGEROUSLY accessible to children
Research carried out in Zambia shows that children have geographical and purchasing forms of access to Tobacco products. Some Tobacco selling-points are spread around schools, play grounds, communities, markets and streets.
12
TOBACCO PRODUCTS REMAIN DEADLY WHILE MASKED IN many deceptive PACKAGES
Tobacco products are packaged in forms that make the products seem safer but still remain deadly. They are flavoured with enticing ingredients but still poisonous. Tobacco is massively advertised with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but still kills over 7,000 Zambians yearly.
Statement in Video Picture
From KBN News – 17th July 2023
Civil Society Organizations are worried that Government is quiet about the Tobacco Control Bill. On the 17th of July 2023 KBN News covered a sudden visit by CSO representatives at the Ministries of Justice and Health where they delivered letters demanding for answers.
Join us and sign the petition form here below.