By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has advised Government to come up with a law which will ban the advertisement of nicotine and tobacco to protect the young people in Zambia.
ZACA executive secretary, Juba Sakala said Zambia urgently needed a law that would ban the sale and advertisements of nicotine and tobacco products to minors, through exaggerated corporate social responsibilities by the tobacco industry.
Mr Sakala told the Daily Nation, his organization was concerned by growing numbers of consumers of tobacco products in Zambia which had been attributed to the Tobacco Industry introduction of new products like mirage, Shisha, vaping, e-cigarette, etc which was not only enticing and attracting the youth people but also sold at affordable price to them.
He said it was worrying that in the last few years the consumption of nicotine and tobacco products in Zambia had increased more especially among youths.
He attributed the high consumption of nicotine and tobacco to products being sold next to educational facilities and advertised on several platforms which were mostly used by youths like social media.
“Therefore, we call upon Government to stop this escalating vice among the young people by enacting the nicotine and tobacco control bill. If enacted, this law will definitely address this scourge,” he said.
Mr Sakala explained that the law would enhance the already existing Statutory Instruments which had been in place to ban smoking in public places.
He added, “We urge Government through Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo to act on the bill which is lying in her Ministry awaiting approval by Cabinet.”
Mr Sakala said the association was confident that the Health Minister would act on the matter urgently in the interest of the nation.
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