Tobacco industry, MPs caucus slammed

THE caucus meeting to which to which Members of Parliament have been invited by captains of the tobacco industry has raised dust as proponents for the control of the substance see this as a scheme aimed at sabotaging the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill into law.

AFRICA Tobacco Control Youth Ambassador Given Kapolyo has called for the Tobacco Industry to embrace change and work towards a healthier future for all Zambians and that the well-being of the Zambian population should be prioritized over the economic interests of the tobacco industry.

She stated that it was immoral for the tobacco industry to try to stop Zambia from being the 44^th country to domesticate the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

She charged that it was also illegal to openly discuss a bill which was still undergoing legislative processes before it goes to Parliament.

She explained that it was surprising to see the local tobacco industry in Zambia display such unwarranted hostility towards the regulation of consumption, when a staggering 98% of the tobacco produced in the country was exported with only a mere 2% being consumed locally.

“It is important to note that many countries have implemented similar measures without banning tobacco production altogether, with the majority of Zambia’s tobacco being exported,” Ms. Kapolyo said.

She called out the tobacco industry’s attempts to undermine the Tobacco Control Bill through engagement and awareness activities with Members of Parliament and also called upon the Executive and the Speaker to take note of such activities.

She told The Scoop in an interview that the tobacco industry was determined to sabotage a bill that prioritised the wellbeing of Zambia’s youth, an act that showed clear dishonest intentions, as they did not have the best interests of Zambian youths or public health in mind.

“It is crucial to combat their deceptive tactics, especially when it comes to enticing young people into tobacco use, as the WHO FCTC is a vital tool in protecting public health from these harmful influences,” she said.

She lamented that the tobacco industry was an enemy to public health, especially the youth and women, stating that the relentless pursuit of profit by the tobacco industry came at the cost of public health, particularly targeting the vulnerable groups of youth and women.

She said that exposing the deceptive practices of the tobacco industry could help the country work towards implementing effective tobacco control measures that prioritized the well-being of the youth of the nation.

“We wish to remind the tobacco industry and their allies that there is no substitute for human life, so they should stop sacrificing us the youth at the fire of their smouldering and smoking altar in the name of balance,” she said.

Meanwhile the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) and the Centre for Primary Care Research (CPCR) on Monday this week held a press briefing to address the case where the tobacco industry has called for a meeting with Members of Parliament to give false narrative on the Tobacco Control Bill.

And Africa Tobacco Control Youth Ambassador Given Kapolyo condemned the deceptive tactics employed by the tobacco industry, where they organized a meeting with selected committees of parliamentarians under the guise of engagement and awareness where the meeting, was reportedly conveniently scheduled during the decisive final stages of the bills journey to Parliament, a case she labelled suspicious.