Zambia domestic the FCTC

By Brenda Zulu

Zambia needs to domesticate the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as it is a signatory to the treaty. However from that time we do not have a bill and as civil society organisations we need to ensure that the bill is passed as law in Zambia.

In Zambia the key players are the British American Tobacco, famers and leaf buyers.

“They may influence a law that may favour their interests other than the public health act,” said Muyunda Ililonga Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) at a Tobacco industry interference workshop on August 31, 2012 at Pungwe Lodge.

“If we increase the price of tobacco, the demand for it will go down and also there is need to enforce the ban on smoking in public places,” said Ililonga.

He explained that the reason why the cigarette contents need to be regulated was because that in Zambia they want to want to regulate labeling.

"In Zambia we have trained nurses and doctors through nicotine replacement. Our boarders are porous and Zambia is experiencing some smuggling of tobacco and there is need to control the illicit trade. Zambia needs to find a cash crop that is economically viable as tobacco and it is a process," said Ililonga.

The tobacco industry is very strong and can influence politicians as they have the money. We need to corporate with others. In terms of health at least 50 chemicals of the 4000 that cause cancer.