Economist Professor Lubinda Haabazoka says Zambia must avoid copy-and-paste legislation that fails to reflect the country’s economic realities.
He stated that the Tobacco Control Bill, 2025, risks destabilising agriculture, hospitality, and manufacturing sectors if passed without adaptation.
Prof Haabazoka observed that while regulation is necessary, the Bill crosses into economic disruption and administrative overreach.
He said tobacco farming sustains rural livelihoods, yet the Bill offers no structured transition plan for growers.
Prof Haabazoka argued that restricting production and distribution without cushioning supply will trigger income instability.
He noted that the hospitality industry will suffer as rigid smoking restrictions reduce customer flexibility and suppress revenue.
Prof Haabazoka warned that business owners are unfairly burdened with enforcement duties, effectively turning them into extensions of law enforcement.
He said excessive regulation will shrink formal markets and expand illicit trade.
Prof Haabazoka stressed that punitive measures, including heavy fines and imprisonment, create a high-risk environment that discourages compliance.
He observed that policy should empower institutions rather than expose them to disproportionate risk.
Prof Haabazoka stated that Zambia must adapt global frameworks to local realities instead of replicating them wholesale.
He emphasised that good policy is defined not by its intention but by its outcomes, and Zambia must tread carefully to avoid economic harm.
