07/03/2026
'CIVIL SOCIETY WARNS OF TO***CO INDUSTRY INTERFERENCE, URGES SWIFT PASSAGE OF TO***CO CONTROL BILL'
The To***co Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has accused the to***co industry of undermining government efforts to reduce smoking, particularly among children and young people.
Speaking during the 2025 launch of the To***co Industry Interference Index, TOFAZA Executive Director Brenda Chitindi said the industry continues to frustrate to***co control initiatives despite the growing health and economic burden linked to to***co use.
Ms Chitindi said the industry contributes to deaths worldwide and negatively affects Zambia’s economy, even though it generates revenue for the government.
She noted that to***co companies often employ tactics such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to mask the harms associated with their products while seeking to influence policymakers.
Civil society organisations have since urged Parliament to reject industry interference and pass the To***co Control Bill without weakening its provisions. They say the law should also guarantee transparency in any interactions between government officials and to***co companies.
The To***co Control Bill seeks to regulate ni****ne products through measures such as flavour restrictions, stronger health warnings, and tighter limits on marketing and sales to minors.
However, the to***co industry has reportedly resisted the proposed regulations, arguing that they could increase smoking rates. Ms Chitindi dismissed the claims, stating that the industry frequently exaggerates perceived benefits and selectively uses data to present commercial interests as scientific evidence.
The To***co Industry Interference Index shows Zambia among the three African countries most affected by to***co industry influence. The country scored above 80 percent on the index and ranked 94th out of 100 countries globally, with 83 points.
Global Center for Good Governance in To***co Control (GGTC) Head of Global Research Dr Mary Assunta said Zambia’s high score reflects significant industry interference and limited progress in protecting public health policies from commercial interests.
She noted that delays in passing the To***co Control Bill have left Zambia without key safeguards, including stronger health warning labels and stricter regulation of emerging ni****ne products.
Dr Assunta said to***co industry influence has slowed to***co control legislation, while CSR activities have helped companies build relationships with government institutions and communities.
Meanwhile, African To***co Control Alliance (ATCA) communications officer Caleb Ayong said to***co companies spend billions of dollars each year promoting their products, with many campaigns aimed at young people....
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Mr Ayong noted that most to***co users begin smoking during adolescence, which significantly increases the likelihood of long-term addiction.
He warned that emerging products such as electronic ni****ne delivery systems, commonly known as e-cigarettes, pose additional risks to children and adolescents.
Mr Ayong said Zambia could better protect young people by adopting stronger to***co control legislation and safeguarding public health policies from industry influence in line with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on To***co Control (WHO FCTC).
He added that to***co remains a major public health concern in Zambia, with about 26 percent of the population using to***co products.
And TOFAZA Youth Coordinator Obby Lubasi said youth advocates are urging Parliament to urgently pass the To***co Control Bill No. 40 of 2025.
Mr Lubasi noted that to***co industry involvement in public policy contradicts Zambia’s obligations under the WHO FCTC, particularly Article 5.3, which requires governments to protect health policies from commercial and vested interests.
He stressed that any interactions with the to***co industry should be strictly regulatory, formal and transparent, rather than partnerships in shaping public policy.
Mr Lubasi warned that delays in passing the bill continue to endanger lives, especially among young people, noting that more than 7,000 Zambians die each year from to***co-related diseases.
Meanwhile, Youth advocate Kumbuso Phiri called on the government to increase transparency and strengthen to***co control measures. He warned that to***co companies continue to target young people with ni****ne products, including e-cigarettes, which are increasingly gaining popularity.
Mr Phiri also urged schools, celebrities and social media platforms to reject to***co-related sponsorships and advertising.
The To***co Control Bill is currently awaiting further readings in Parliament, with stakeholders calling for its urgent passage to align Zambia with international to***co control standards and protect public health.
