THE Global Youth Tobacco Survey Report has brought out a worrying trend by the country’s young people.
Why should the Zambian youth as young as 13 years top the African regional average percentage?
For sur,e there is urgent need for action to prevent the increasing tobacco use among the youth.
At only 13, 14, 15, these children are already chain smokers.
We thus agree with Health Minister Elijah Muchima who said: “These figures reflect not just numbers, but the lives of young people at risk of serious health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
“These children are facing profound health risks, if we do not act now, we may lose a generation to preventable diseases.”
The consequences of tobacco use are far- reaching and affect individuals, families, and communities.
Government should put in place legislation that will control tobacco use especially among young persons.
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco-related diseases cause about 8.7 million deaths annually worldwide, with 1.3 million of those attributed to secondhand smoke.
The Tobacco Control Bill has been has been gathering dust since 2008.
But legislation is not enough.
From smoking cigarettes, chances are that these boys and girls may graduate to smoking illegal substances such as dagga and eventually start hardcore drugs.
Therefore parents and guardians have a role in molding these young people into responsible adults.
In those homes, parents, guardians, inculcate good morals to children which would later help them contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Yes, we know it could be their right to smoke but if not controlled they will smoke drugs and smoke themselves to poor health.
We are aware that cigarette business is a big industry and a serious money spinner but don’t agree that children should be enticed for health reasons.
Government, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, the Church itself should monitor tobacco use among the youth and to guide the implementation and evaluation of tobacco prevention and some control programmes.
School authorities should also be firm on the use of tobacco by young people.
Tobacco is the most preventable cause of death in the world today resulting in increased burden of disease and other economic consequences.
The reason we are advocating for control of tobacco use by young persons is that cigarette smoking during childhood decreases physical fitness and potential effect on the growth or development of the lungs.
