BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Zambia, with a high tobacco prevalence, faces challenges in developing effective tobacco control legislation since the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was ratified in 2008. The country's youth demographic, with over 60% under 25, presents both opportunities and challenges. However, the tobacco industry's presence and vulnerability as a Low-Middle-Income Country (LMIC) make it vulnerable to industry influence and manipulation. In 2023, Zambia ranked 79th out of 90 countries on the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: The Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia (TCCZ) is promoting youth-led advocacy in Zambia through various initiatives, including school debates, poetry, and infotainment road shows. This approach empowers young people to take ownership of tobacco control efforts, driving meaningful change and sustaining long-term initiatives. TCCZ advocates for flexible strategies, continuous monitoring, research, sustainable funding, capacity-building programs, education, and skill development. Incorporating tobacco control topics into school curricula is crucial. A comprehensive approach, leveraging the youth demographic, is needed to establish a strong tobacco control framework.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: This has resulted in heightened awareness and participation among young individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds, significantly fostering and supporting initiatives.
CONCLUSIONS: Zambia faces challenges in establishing effective tobacco control legislation, but significant reform is possible. The large youth population presents both opportunities and challenges, driving tobacco control initiatives. Despite financial constraints, the Tobacco Control Consortium of Zambia (TCCZ) has made progress through youth advocacy, raising awareness across socio-economic groups. By promoting adaptable strategies, ongoing evaluation, research, capacity-building, and integrating tobacco control education in schools, TCCZ is building a strong foundation for a comprehensive tobacco control system, essential for reducing industry influence and ensuring a healthier future for the nation.
Empowering youth in tobacco control in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa is like planting seeds for a vibrant future; they are the foundation of transformation and guardians of health.