By Chapala Chikoyi
Public health advocates and young people have called on the
Zambian Government to strengthen safeguards against tobacco industry influence,
warning that continued engagement with the industry is undermining national
health policies.
The call was made during the launch of the 2025 Zambia
Tobacco Industry Interference Index in Lusaka.
African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) Consultant and
Public Health Advocate, Caleb Ayong, said the
report reveals worrying levels of tobacco industry interference in Zambia.
Mr. Ayong, who joined the event via webinar from his base in
Lomé, Togo, said Zambia ranked 94th out of 100 countries globally, scoring 83
points, making it the worst-performing country in Africa and one of the worst-performing
countries globally, the event, held at Longacres Lodge on Saturday, March 7,
2026, brought together public health stakeholders, civil society organisations , government
representatives and the media to examine the growing influence of the tobacco
industry on policy decisions.
According to Mr. Ayong, the report highlights frequent and
unnecessary interactions between government officials and tobacco companies.
“Government officials continue to participate in tobacco
industry events, giving the industry a seat at the table — a seat they are not
supposed to have,” he said.
He warned that tobacco companies often use Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including tree-planting campaigns and donations ,
as a strategy to gain public goodwill and access to policymakers.
“These activities are a smokescreen designed to distract
from the real cost of tobacco use,” Mr. Ayong said.
He noted that tobacco use costs Zambia approximately K2.8
billion annually in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
Even more concerning, he said, is the human toll.
“Zambia loses more than 7,100 lives every year due to
tobacco-related diseases. That is about 20 families losing a loved one every
single day,” he said.
Mr. Ayong added that tobacco consumption also undermines
Zambia’s national development goals by placing a heavy burden on the country’s
healthcare system.
He urged government ministries beyond health — including
Finance, Commerce and Agriculture — to take responsibility in protecting public
policy from tobacco industry influence.
Zambia ratified the World Health Organisation Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in 2008, which requires governments to
implement Article 5.3, a provision designed to protect health policies from
tobacco industry interference.
Mr. Ayong further called on Parliament to urgently pass the
Tobacco Control Bill N.A.B 40 of 2025, describing it as a critical safeguard
against tobacco industry influence.
“The bill is not only legislation. It is a declaration of
sovereignty and a commitment to protect the people of Zambia rather than the
interests of multinational corporations,” he said.
He added that Zambia must aim for a better ranking in future
tobacco interference reports by prioritizing public health over commercial
interests.
“As a country, Zambia needs independence — not interference —
from the tobacco industry,” Mr. Ayong said.
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