THE Global Youth Tobacco Survey Report has brought out a worrying trend by the country’s young people. Why should the Zambian youth as young as 13 years top the African regional average percentage? For sur,e there is urgent need for action to prevent the increasing tobacco use among the youth. At only 13, 14, 15, these children are already chain smokers. We thus agree with Health Minister Elijah Muchima who said: “These figures reflect not just numbers, but the lives of young people at risk of serious health problems such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. “These children are facing profound health risks, if we do not act now, we may lose a generation to preventable diseases.” The consequences of tobacco use are far- reaching and affect individuals, families, and communities. Government should put in place legislation that will control tobacco use especially among young persons. According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco-related diseases cause about […]
Outlaw smoking for kids
