Zambia: Tobacco Industry's Attitude a Challenge

Source from:  Times of Zambia 08/30/2012

ONE of the challenges in addressing the implementation of tobacco control measures is the industry's attitude towards the issue. However, recent developments in Australia can be said to be the game changer that is widely expected to have a domino effect; much to the satisfaction of health experts and establishments championing tobacco control measures. On August 15 this year, Australia's highest court upheld a new Government law on mandatory packaging for cigarettes. The law requires cigarettes to be sold in olive green packets, with graphic images warning of the consequences of smoking. The new packaging rules are scheduled to be effected on December 1 this year. "We commend the government of Australia for this unprecedented development in the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" explains Tobacco Free Association of Zambia(TOFAZA) Executive Director, Brenda Chitindi. She says Zambia being a party to the convention (FCTC) must strive to put in place measures that will ensure significant drop in the cultivation and consumption of tobacco. "Tobacco is also a big risk factor in non-communicable diseases that the world is grappling with now. It is only prudent that, as a country, we start the domestication and implementation processes of the WHO-FCTC," said Ms Chitindi in her latest update. In a statement, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says the decision is a "landmark" ruling. She has called on other countries to follow Australia's example and adopt an equally tough stance on tobacco marketing. Ms Chan asserts that with Australia's victory, public health has entered a brave new world of tobacco control. She adds that the move is a highly effective way to counter industry's ruthless marketing tactics and expressed hope that the decision would set off a global legal "domino effect" on tobacco related issues. "The evidence of the positive health impact of plain packaging compiled by Australia's High Court will benefit other countries in their efforts to develop and implement strong tobacco control measures to protect the health of their people and to stand resolute against the advances of the tobacco industry," she added. Media reports indicate that leading global tobacco manufacturers, that include the British American Tobacco and Philip Morris, had earlier challenged the law. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BCC) reports indicate that authorities in Australia assert that plain packaging of cigarettes will help reduce the number of smokers in the country. However, tobacco manufacturers have argued that removing their brand names and company colours from packets will lead to a drastic cut in profits. They have also warned that it may result in fake products entering the market. "It's still a bad law that will only benefit organised crime groups which sell illegal tobacco on our streets," Scott McIntyre, spokesperson for British American Tobacco-Australia, told the media shortly after the court ruling. Cigarette manufacturers have also claimed that the law is unconstitutional and infringes on their intellectual property rights by banning the use of brands and trademarks. Australia is the first country in the world to come up with new tough cigarette packaging laws. Whether graphic images on a packet of cigarettes would ensure a drop in the numbers of smokers is an issue that is expected to raise some debate. While we cannot entirely stop individuals from smoking (cigarettes made from tobacco), there is need to protect the public, particularly children from the effects of second hand smoke or passive smoking. "Effects of second hand smoke particularly on children are too ghastly to contemplate. Exposure to cigarette smoke increases one's chances of developing respiratory complications and cancers among others," explains Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, Director Cancer Diseases Hospital. In a related vein Lusaka City Council (LCC) is appealing to the public to be pro-active and report people that maybe seen smoking in public places. Council Public relations Manager Chanda Makanta observes that the public's passive attitude towards the subject is an indication that a lot needs to be done in terms of education and sensitisation. "The council has been rounding up people found smoking cigarettes in public places and brought them to book. However, in as much as we would want to be everywhere, it is not possible. We have a law in place that forbids smoking in public places but we need the public to help the council in implementing it by reporting persons engaging in such acts to Council Police and or indeed undertaking a citizen's arrest," says Mrs Makanta. Experts' reports suggest that tobacco use causes up to 6 million annual deaths globally and yet it is one of the most preventable public health threats faced by world governments. The death toll could potentially increase to 8 million people a year if stronger action to limit tobacco exposure is not taken, according to WHO estimates. Enditem