Ban flavoured tobacco in Zambia – Ililonga

Ban flavoured tobacco in Zambia – Ililonga
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Sat 13 Nov. 2010, 03:59 CAT

THE Zambia Consumer Association has asked the Zambian government to prohibit cigarettes with flavourings on the Zambian market because they will attract young smokers.

Association executive secretary Muyunda Ililonga, who is also losing UPND candidate in the recent Luena parliamentary by-elections, said at a press briefing in Kitwe yesterday that all must prohibit intentions by the International Tobacco Growers Association to introduce flavoured tobacco because it would encourage teenage smokers.

He said that international tobacco growing companies were exaggerating the economic benefits the tobacco industry presented to countries like Zambia.

“Over the years, evidence has proved that tobacco companies have undertaken, and are still undertaking a great number of activities to impede health action. It has also been proven beyond any doubt that these companies have hidden many facts about hazards of smoking, that they have fought against the imposition of tobacco control laws and that they have attempted to influence decision-makers everywhere in order to oppose tobacco control measures,” said Ililonga.

Ililonga said flavourings were increasingly becoming an important part of tobacco marketing, targeting especially young people.

He said flavourings enhanced enticement, encouraged youth initiation and discouraged cessation.

“In addition to being more attractive to young people, flavoured products make it easier for new smokers to start smoking by masking the unpleasant flavour of tobacco. … Removing these flavoured products from the market is important because it removes an avenue the young people can use to begin regular tobacco use,” said Ililonga.

“These sweet flavour cigarettes or young cigarettes as they are referred to by the industry, include flavours such as Ice cream, cola, chocolate, vanilla, mint, strawberry, cherry, peach and grape. How can it be acceptable for cigarettes to have these properties familiar with children’s tastes? These flavours are made to appeal to the youth. The more attractive tobacco products are, the more poeple will become addicted and ultimately, more will die from tobacco-caused diseases. How can it be accepted to make harmful products look attractive to consume? How can we stand by and watch a rogue industry kill our children?” Ililonga queried.

And Ililonga scoffed at government’s seeming inconsistent policy on tobacco.

“Last time the Minister of Education was saying that tobacco contributed US $98 million to the treasury but what the minister failed to state was how much the country was spending on buying medical equipment to diagnose and cure tobacco-related diseases. Now you see, it is very surprising that we have ratified WHO conventions on health, we are supporting the growth of the tobacco industry (and) at the same time the Ministry of Health is saying tobacco is harmful to health, so where do we stand as a country?” Ililonga wondered.

Meanwhile, the Zambian government will for the first time send a four-man delegation to the World Health Organisation Framework convention on Tobacco Control guidelines for Articles 9 and 10 which talk about product regulation.

Ililonga said the government’s decision to send only one official from the Ministry of Health that criticises tobacco over health concerns and four from the ministry of agriculture, which was supporting tobacco companies was very unfortunate.