The World Health Organization-WHO says tobacco related illnesses kill over 7, 000 Zambians annually according to the latest report.
WHO Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita said evidence shows that most of the Zambians that die from tobacco related diseases are mainly the youth.
Dr Bakyaita said there’s need for government to prioritize tobacco control for the country to attain sustainable development goals.
The World body has also commended government for its effort in implementing the provisions of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty to which Zambia is a signatory.
He was speaking in Lusaka during a virtual commemoration of the World No Tobacco Day under the theme Commit to Quit
Speaking at the same fora, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kennedy Malama said that estimates show that 16 percent of the general population consume some form of tobacco and worries that tobacco use is fast growing in Zambia as 9 percent of the total population smoke tobacco on a daily basis.
Dr Malama also explained that tobacco use exposes children to green tobacco sickness a disease that is chiefly caused by the consumption of nicotine.
He also indicated that government through the Ministry of Health working in partnership with the anti-smoking community will engage in educational public discourse to raise awareness.
Meanwhile Tobacco Free Association of Zambia has called for the enactment of the Tobacco Control Bill to promote safeguards.
Association President Brenda Chitindi also said there is need to domesticate the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
