By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Tobacco Free Association of Zambia (TFAZ) says strengthening tobacco control information to communities,’ calls for concerted efforts to all stakeholders who mean well for the health of the young Zambian’s population.
TFA Communications Officer Sandra Machima said tobacco is a dangerous public health issue, and the growing trend of numerous facilities stocking it is an issue of concerned.
Ms Machima said it is a sad situation to see youths engage in tobacco products such as cigars, shisha, insuko, and vapes in the name of fashion, without realizing the effects.
“We are therefore, calling on Government through the Ministry of Health to quickly conduct health promotion campaign and regulate the tobacco products to safeguard the lives of the youths. Reaching young people with facts they need to make informed decisions is critical. Many young people do not know health risks of these tobacco products,” she said.
She said the nation has more youths who are useful to the development of this country, and giving a blind eye to such will adversely affect young generation.
Ms Machima said Zambia should follow suit to other African countries that have recognized tobacco control as a priority in health development efforts and have implemented comprehensive tobacco control programs based on the WHO-FCTC.
She said vaping products has increased at unprecedented rate among the youths in Zambia and is underreported in clinical settings.
