MWEETWA ASSURES OF TOBACCO CONTROL BILL TABLING

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…domesticate bill now, prods ZCTC Mathew Goma
By Derrick Sinjela and Simon Banda
United Party for National Development (UPND) Choma Central Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa has assured of soon tabling of Tobacco Control Legislation (the Tobacco Control Bill) before Parliament.
“The UPND is committed to enacting the long-awaited World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), once presented to Parliament for consideration. I acknowledge concerns and anxiety on the delay in enacting the Tobacco Control Bill, despite Zambia ratifying the WHO-FCTC, 15 years ago, successive administrations have always procrastinated.
“The New Dawn Administration has made unprecedented tangible headway in enacting a tobacco control law and will, in the very near future, present the tobacco control bill to parliament for enactment,” assured the Chief Government Spokesman Mweetwa.
In a speech presented for him by Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Robert Kamalata, Mr Mweetwa at the 2023 ZAMNAT Awards at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) on Friday, 1st December, 2023, assured Professor Fastone Mathew Goma, Dr. Anita Kaluba – In Country-Coordinator for Campaign Tobacco Free Kids and peers in the Zambia Consortium on Tobacco Control (ZCTC) of the tabling of the bill in Parliament.
Patron Prof Goma urged President Hakainde Hichilema to domesticate the WHO-FCTC.
Media Network Against Tobacco Secretariat is domiciled at the Center for Primary Care Research at Manna Mall Area, Libala South in Lusaka, Zambia.
Veteran journalist John Chola was Master of Ceremony for journalists and academicians who convened at and lit Mulungushi with red and black dress code on a theme – “Media Creativity Key in Tobacco Control”.
As soon as Mr. Kamalata had arrived, Javis Lupheoh led politicians, academicians, journalists into a singing of the Zambian Anthem and prayerful petition for WHO-FCTC domestication that is overdue for 15 years.
Mweetwa is cheered over stakeholders promoting a tobacco and nicotine-free Zambia, as he sought media innovation in reinforcing information on the dangers of tobacco and nicotine consumption.
“There is a need for innovative ways to reinforce information about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine consumption, as well as the crucial measures that need to be taken to prevent, treat, and combat it. To keep the topic of tobacco control fresh, I encourage the media in their diversity to engage in creative in-depth journalistic pieces that will cover, educate, and stimulate public discourse,” admonished Mweetwa.
Mr. Kamalata urged Zambian media to familiarize itself with the government’s procedures as a guarantee to accessing accurate and timely information.
In her welcoming remarks Ms. Paxina Phiri, ZAMNAT Chairperson reiterated local media interest in curbing indiscriminate trade and consumption of tobacco.
“The Government must collaborate with Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) to implement the mandate of the WHO-FCTC. There is need to protect and educate citizens about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine substances,” said Ms. Phiri.
A first panel discussion interview, “Journalists Discussing Their Experiences in Covering Tobacco Control” was facilitated by Chikoyi Chapala (Metro FM) with Edith Mwiinga (Chipata TV) featured Samuel Mbewe; (Kwithu FM & blogger) and Derrick Sinjela (Rainbow Newspaper Zambia Limited (RNZL).
Poet Raphael Banda, in a poem, lamented citizens continued early graves.
In the second panel discussion interview: “Feedback from Tobacco Control Experts on Tobacco Control Media Coverage in Zambia” facilitated by Peter Zulu (Hot FM), hosted discussants Prof. Goma and Dr. Anita Kaluba, respectively raised concern on indifferent media coverage and heartless growers of tobacco.
Nomakanjani Cultural Drama Group of Lusaka entertained through dance and a sketch on indiscriminate consumption of tobacco.
Prof. Goma pleaded with journalists from both public and private media to raise awareness on effects of tobacco, as a renewed sense of commitment toward achieving a tobacco-free Zambia.
Prof. Goma was hopeful of more media work to contribute towards a tobacco-free-Zambia. He also urged the media to intensify awareness efforts on dangers of tobacco.
“I encourage journalists to play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and fostering a healthier society.”
On her part, Dr. Kaluba was incensed that tobacco firms that produce and distribute poison later taunt communities with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in form of clinics and schools.
Zambia Media Network Against Tobacco Way forward on the Media Awards, Committee Member Mr. Albert Phiri, implored diligence among journalists in highlighting the tobacco burden.
“We have a conviction that participating journalists and media personalities do have the zeal to do better and excel, even at regional level.
“As we move forward, we will only be recognising journalists that go beyond the average or the ordinary. The 2024 ZAMNAT Awards will only reward journalists that not only go beyond the basics expected of them, but also display strong analytical skills.
“Tobacco Control is a cross cutting issue; its angles are inexhaustible,” said Mr. Phiri.

“From Public Health, to the economy, taxation, the environment, education, gender and entertainment…, It cuts across various thematic areas. We want to see exceptional investigative pieces and packages covering Tobacco Control across various sectors. For instance: Public Health;
“What are the preventable cost implications of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Dialysis Machine at University Teaching (UTH) or Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) for a patient seeking health interventions directly attributable to Tobacco? How many avoidable man-hours go into such medical interventions?
“How many avoidable man-hours of productivity are lost by patients in such a case?” observed Mr. Phiri noting that Tobacco Industry (TI) interference exposes rank Zambia very high on the global Tobacco Industry interference index.
He expected journalists and mainstream media houses to explore how local Tobacco Industry was influencing “upstream” policies”, to make it harder to pass the Tobacco Bill and attendant public health regulations?
“How is the local Tobacco Industry seeking to manage and enhance its own reputation in order to increase its ability to influence policy?
Particularly with its new products such as e-cigarettes, vaping, shisha and the like which are deadly but sweet flavoured products aimed at Zambia’s young “population?” asked Mr Phiri.
In 2024, both CPCR and ZAMNAT with the support of partners will enhance capacity building in Tobacco Control Journalism.
“We are actively considering a ZAMNAT Tobacco Control Fellowship. I must mention that we currently incentivise Tobacco Control reporting through stipends we offer to journalists.
“ZAMNAT THEME FOR 2024. As I conclude my remarks, the ZAMNAT Executive committee notes that next year 2024 will be a very significant year as Zambia will celebrate her 60 Years diamond jubilee of Independence.
“Will 2024 be the year Zambia ratifies the WHO FCTC through the enactment of a Tobacco Control Law? Or will mother Zambia at 60 still continue smoking and polluting her own children? We sincerely hope it will be the former rather than the latter,” said an optimistic Mr Phiri.
ZAMNAT Vice Chairperson (Ms) Linda Nyondo gave the vote of thanks while researcher Richard Zulu gave the closing prayer.
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