Tobacco Control Bill Will Be Introduced In Parley-MOH. By Edith Mwiinga

Professor Lackson Kasonka, Permanent Secretary for Technical Ser-vices at the Ministry of Health has revealed that the tobacco and nico-tine Control Products bill will be tabled in parliament during the ses-sion of Parliament which is resuming this September.

Prof. Kasonka stated in an interview with Chipata television that the Tobacco and Nicotine Products Control bill has been finalized and is ready to be presented before parliament’s next session.

He stated that if the bill was passed, it would help to reduce tobacco use among children and regulate the product on the market.

Furthermore, the majority of opposition political parties support the bill.

Shiwangandu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo noted the good components of the tobacco and nicotine products Control bill as it would save children and the community at large.

Mr. Kampyongo said the Patriotic Front Members of Parliament were ready to support the bill and make it pass into law once presented before parliament.

Meanwhile, former Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande who is also a former smoker says the bill has taken long adding that it's time now that it should be passed into law and effected to save lives.

He said, having formerly been a smoker, that tobacco is bad for your health and that it worries him how students are misusing the goods.

Mr. Kopulanda expressed disappointment over the fact that the tobacco industry, growers/farmers, and businesses are unconcerned with the consequences and instead put a premium on profit over people's health.

And the Zambia Tobacco Control Consortium (ZTCC) reiterated their expectations for the Tobacco Control bill to be presented as Parliament reconvenes this week.

Professor Fastone Goma, the Consortium's president, said in an interview with KNC television that the Consortium, which is made up of 12 Civil Society Organizations, was hopeful that the Tobacco Con-trol Bill will be introduced in Parliament when it resumed its session this September.

According to Professor Goma, if the Tobacco Control Bill were to pass, fewer people would die and the government would have to spend less money on health care.