Tobacco Control Bill

Tobacco is the single most preventable leading cause of death in the world. It contains 7,000 chemicals of which 69 cause cancer. It leads to chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes, mouth and skin infections. It also contributes to high health costs and economic losses, widens socioeconomic inequalities, and contributes to environmental degradation.

Globally more than 7 million deaths occur as a result of tobacco consumption of which 890,000 deaths are due to exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking). Approximately 80% of the deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries including Zambia.

In Africa, 13 million women use tobacco products including smokeless tobacco. According to recent studies, approximately 13% of young adolescent girls use tobacco products. Between 2002 and 2030, tobacco attributable deaths are expected to double in LMICs including Zambia. Approximately two thirds of adult deaths due to second hand smoke are among women (64%)

In response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic, the World Health Organisation Framework convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was developed, and is the only public health treaty. The main objective of the WHO FCTC is to protect the present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.  The WHO FCTC provides a framework for tobacco control measures to be implemented by the Parties at the national, regional and international levels in order to reduce continually and substantially the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. The tobacco epidemic is a health and sustainable development issue embedded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in particular Goal 3 which refers to “Health for All ages.“ Target 3.4 refers to reduction in mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of which tobacco is a major risk factor. Further, target 3a focuses on strengthening the implementation of the WHO FCTC.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia ratified the WHO FCTC on 23 May, 2008 and as a Party to the Convention, it is legally bound to comply with its requirements. Implementation and enforcement of comprehensive tobacco control measures, based on the WHO FCTC will significantly reduce tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. Zambia has an opportunity to scale up tobacco control efforts and honour its commitments to the WHO FCTC and ensure that young people do not become the next generation of smokers.

The WHO FCTC contains demand and supply reduction measures which include: -

Measures relating to the reduction of demand for tobacco

Price and tax measures (Article 6)

Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke (Article 8)

Regulation of contents of tobacco products (Article 9)

Regulation of tobacco products disclosures (Article 10)

Packaging and labelling of tobacco products (Article 11)

Education, communication, training and public awareness (Article 12)

Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (Article13)

Tobacco dependence and cessation (Article14)

Measures relating to the reduction of the supply of tobacco

Elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products (Article 15)

Prohibition of sales of tobacco products to and by minors (Article 16)

Provision of support for economically viable alternative activities and livelihoods (Article 17)

Other Measures

Protection of the environment and health of the persons (Article18)

Liability (Article 19)

Mechanisms for scientific and technical cooperation and exchange of information (Articles 20-22). 

The Ministry of Health intends to introduce a Bill to provide legislation for the domestication of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control and invites comments from stakeholders.