Government Betrayal on Tobacco Control: A Threat to Public Health

 

By Chapala Chikoyi

Lusaka, Zambia - The Zambian government's inaction on the Tobacco Control Bill is a stark betrayal of the people's trust, with nearly three years having passed since the Cabinet approved the Bill in principle. This delay is a clear indication that the government is prioritizing the interests of the tobacco industry over the health and well-being of its citizens.

Speaking at a joint press briefing held at Mika Hotel in Kabulonga, Lusaka, on November 6, 2026, Professor Fastone Matthew Goma, Chairperson of the Zambia NCD Alliance (ZANOCODA), emphasized the urgent need for the government to pass the Tobacco Control Bill.

"This is not a delay, it is a big wound on the soul of our nation. A wound that festers and bleeds in silence," said Mr. Muloboka Albert Phiri, Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia (TCCZ), speaking at the same press briefing.

According to Professor Goma, the consequences of inaction are dire. Tobacco consumption is a leading cause of preventable deaths in Zambia, claiming thousands of lives every year. The tobacco industry's influence on government policy is evident, and it's time for the people to demand accountability.

"We are calling on the President to provide leadership and ensure that the Tobacco Control Bill is forwarded to parliament for enactment," said Mr. Phiri.

Professor Goma highlighted the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Zambia, which accounted for 35% of all deaths in 2021. He emphasized that tobacco remains a leading risk factor for NCDs, causing over 7,000 deaths annually and costing the country more than ZMW 2.8 billion each year.

"The health of Zambians, especially the youth, is at stake. We urge the President to act now," Mr. Phiri emphasized.

The TCCZ Chairperson further asked a question that it's no longer when will the Tobacco Control Bill be passed but "How many more lives is Zambia going to lose?"

As Zambia prepares to attend the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Professor Goma questioned the government's commitment to tobacco control. 

"Attending COP11 without passing the Tobacco Control Bill is not just symbolic negligence—it is a betrayal of public health, a betrayal of the Zambian people, and a misuse of taxpayer resources."

The Zambia NCD Alliance (ZANOCODA) is calling on the government to prioritize the health of Zambians and pass the Tobacco Control Bill without further delay.