Zambia consumer group warns of tobacco industry influence after poor global index ranking

The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has raised concern over Zambia’s ranking of 94th out of 100 countries on the latest Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, saying it reflects significant influence of the tobacco industry on public policy. ZACA Executive Secretary, Juba Sakala, said the country scored 83 points on the index, a result he said signaled serious levels of tobacco industry interference and weaknesses in protecting public health from commercial interests. In a statement issued on Monday, Sakala said the situation was particularly worrying for consumers, especially young people.

Sakala warned that Zambia risked reversing gains made in public health if stronger safeguards were not put in place. “ZACA therefore calls on the Government to urgently enact the Tobacco Control Bill, which will strengthen regulation of tobacco and emerging nicotine products,” Sakala said. He also urged the government to fully implement provisions of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, particularly measures aimed at limiting tobacco industry interference in policymaking.

Sakala said protecting young people from nicotine addiction must be treated as a national priority. “Strong laws, transparency in government engagement with the tobacco industry, and public awareness are critical to safeguarding Zambia’s public health policies and future generations,” he said. The latest Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index shows Zambia scored 83 points and ranked 94th globally out of 100 countries assessed.

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The ranking reflects what the report describes as weak resistance to tobacco industry influence in policymaking. According to the report, Zambia’s poor performance has been linked to what it describes as a welcoming stance towards the tobacco industry, which has allowed significant interference in public health policy processes. The index assesses governments’ responses to tobacco industry interference and provides an assessment of both industry actions and government responses. Zambia’s performance has deteriorated in recent years, with its score rising from 38 points in 2021 to 83 points in 2025.

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