“Tobacco companies were having easy access to senior government officials and talking behind closed doors. This needs to change. For too many years, our tobacco control law did not advance much and the issue is not considered a priority. With the publication of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index, policy makers are now more conversant with WHO FCTC Article 5.3. Tobacco control has moved up the policy agenda.”

Brenda Chitindi
Tobacco Free Association of Zambia

Background

Although Zambia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2008, domestication of the treaty remains elusive and tobacco control has not been a priority. Each year, tobacco costs the Zambian economy ZMW 2.8 billion, (USD164 million) equivalent to 1.2 percent of its GDP. Each year about 400,000 people die from non-communicable diseases. Several attempts to table a WHO FCTC compliant tobacco control bill has failed because of industry interference.

The long delay in the filing of the Control of Tobacco Products Bill has benefited the tobacco industry to increase its business. There is no ban on tobacco advertising, corporate social responsibility activities (CSR) activities are allowed enabling industry executives close access to senior government officials, no pictorial warnings on cigarette packs and sale of cheap single sticks make cigarettes both affordable and accessible.[i]

Failure to table and pass the tobacco control bill in the May parliamentary session in 2021, tobacco control advocates will have to start all-over again engaging and educating new lawmakers after general elections last year about the need to protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Zambia has fared poorly in the Tobacco Industry Interference Index scoring high points because of high level of industry interference.[ii] Zambia is the worst performing country out of 14 countries in Africa who participated in the index survey.[iii] The industry stepped up its interference during the COVID-19 pandemic when the government was more vulnerable and in need of resources.[iv]

Dissemination

Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) released the 2021 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Report through a press conference on the 23^rd of October. Guests at the event included members of government officials, media and civil society. The Ministry of Health National Tobacco Control focal point assured that government is committed to ensuring that the tobacco control bill will be presented to Cabinet and later to Parliament.

The Index was sent to the Vice President’s Office, 13 ministries and five agencies. Several face-to-face meetings were held with senior officials including the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Director of Planning and Director of Health Promotion who have given their full support for tobacco control. Most policy makers only became aware of tobacco industry interference after receiving the index and because it illustrated how the interference is blocking tobacco control. Since the tobacco industry operates behind closed doors when it meets with government officials no one has called this out as “interference”.

Media advocacy played an important part in pushing tobacco control higher up the political agenda. The index made front page news and prominently featured in the media. The newspaper coverages were sent to policy makers to illustrate the interference and that it warranted their serious attention.

TOFAZA along with other public health groups, Zambia Alliance for Tobacco Control and its members, have been stepping up with meetings with various government departments explaining the details of action needed to address the blockages in tobacco control and to move forward.

About TOFAZA: TOFAZA creates awareness on the ills of tobacco use, advocate for prioritization for tobacco control in the national policy agenda, and assist develop national tobacco control programs.

[i] IATA. Zambia Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details. Available from: https://bit.ly/2VOhWSc
[ii] GGTC. Zambia. Available from: https://bit.ly/3MUYRFj
[iii] ATCA. Africa Regional Tobacco Industry Interference Index. 2021 October. Available from: https://bit.ly/3N2NYC8
[iv] Burki TK. Tobacco industry influence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet: News. Vol 22. 2021 Dec. Available from: https://bit.ly/3lJ0Y40