Zambia commemorated World No Tobacco Day on May 31 under the theme "Protecting Children from Industry Interference. " Two events were organized to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use among children. The first was a live radio session on UNZA Radio, where Anne from AAAZ and I discussed the tobacco industry, its strategies to attract children, and the harmful effects of tobacco. The interview lasted 30 minutes and was heard by over 3 million listeners. The second event took place at Lake Road School in Lusaka, targeting students in grades 8 to 12, with 350 attendees. We highlighted the marketing tactics used by the tobacco industry, such as employing young influencers to promote vaping on social media. Students shared what they knew about tobacco products and the health effects of smoking. Many were unaware of World No Tobacco Day beforehand, but appreciated the insights gained. During pickup hour, we informed parents about the event's objectives and distributed car stickers with the Zambia advocacy goal. Overall, the commemoration was successful.

On May 31st, as the world observed World No Tobacco Day, Zambia joined the commemoration, and so did we. The day began with a march from Chawama Police Post to the Chawama School Grounds, which served as the venue for this year's event. Various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including our organization, DCZ, TOFAZA, CPCR, CTPD, WHO, and MCF, participated in the celebration. We showcased our work through flyers, stickers, placards, and reports distributed to the residents of Chawama to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use, especially among children and youth. We were honored to host Dr. Matilda Simpungwe, the Acting Director for Health at the Ministry of Health, who represented the Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah Muchima. At the Y-ACT stand, we took the opportunity to share our advocacy efforts and emphasize the urgent need for a tobacco-free society. We called on the government to make the draft Tobacco Control Bill public and to ensure it is presented to Parliament without delay. Young people visited our stand, engaged with us, asked critical questions, and left with a better understanding of the dangers associated with tobacco use. Their passion and curiosity reminded us of the importance of this fight. This sentiment was echoed in a speech read by Emmanuel, the Head Boy of Chawama Secondary School, who emphasized the need to protect future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco.