By Francis Chipalo The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to urgently assent to the Tobacco Control Bill, saying it is key to protecting Zambians from preventable diseases, particularly lung cancer. TOFAZA Executive Director Brenda Chitindi says the Bill, which was overwhelmingly adopted by Parliament in its last sitting […]

By Francis Chipalo

The Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TOFAZA) has appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to urgently assent to the Tobacco Control Bill, saying it is key to protecting Zambians from preventable diseases, particularly lung cancer.

TOFAZA Executive Director Brenda Chitindi says the Bill, which was overwhelmingly adopted by Parliament in its last sitting before the general elections, should be enacted without hesitation.
Looking for the latest sports odds and markets? Check them out here.
Chitindi said November is global Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and Zambia cannot afford to delay decisive preventive measures when tobacco-related diseases continue to threaten public health.

“Protecting human life must take precedence over revenue generated from the tobacco industry as hospitals struggle with growing pressure on health services,” Chitindi said.

She noted that private and public hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed by patients, while available health personnel are struggling to cope with the growing demand.

Chitindi acknowledged Government’s plan to establish a specialist hospital to improve treatment of cancers and other complicated diseases, but stressed the need for immediate preventive interventions.

“Our hospitals are flooded with patients, and the available manpower is overwhelmed. We cannot only concentrate on treating diseases when we can also prevent many of them through effective public health policies,” she said.

She argued that tobacco smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer, with about 85 percent of lung cancer cases linked to smoking, while second-hand smoke also puts children and other vulnerable groups at risk.

“Tobacco smoke contains carcinogenic substances that damage human DNA, potentially triggering mutations that contribute to the development of lung cancer. The risk increases with duration and amount of consumption,” Chitindi explained.

She cited global research showing lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for approximately 1.8 million deaths or 18 percent of cancer deaths in 2020, with Zambia not being an exception.

Chitindi said the call for comprehensive tobacco control legislation has been a long-standing demand by civil society since 2010.

“We are calling on President Hichilema to demonstrate commitment to public health by ensuring that the legislative process culminates in enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill,” she said.

“As we observe Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let us remember that prevention is better than cure. We have an opportunity to save thousands of lives. We urge the President to assent to the Tobacco Control Bill and make protection of public health a national priority,” she added.
You could be the next winner of K20,000 sign up here