Zambia: Ministry of Health on the Copperbelt Province has urged the young members of the country to stop indulging in substance abuse. The Ministry has also urged these youngsters to encourage the other youngsters to work people towards discouraging use of tobacco.
The youngsters of the country become ambassadors who will help curb tobacco intake among youths in society. They have shared that the usage of tobacco can lead to detrimental affects on the health of the youngsters.
Accrordingly, the members of the Copperbelt administration  highlighted that they need to work towards increasing awareness about the affects of tobacco use.
Acting Copperbelt Province Health Director Naomi Kasanda says young people must join and spearhead in the fight. They have to forsake the intake of drug substances such as tobacco for the country to have healthy future leaders.
Dr Kasanda made these remarks during the World No Tobacco Day commemorations at Chibolele Combined School in Ndola district. Further, she also spoke on the significance of the theme of the commemoration.
She claimed that the theme ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry interference,’ is a reminder that the country needs to protect children against the intake of tobacco. She added that children are the future leaders of the country hence the need to ensure they are not exposed to drugs such as tobacco.
She noted with sadness that the tobacco industry is targeting the young children to sell their merchandise. Dr Kasanda stated that tobacco smoke contains nicotine which is addictive and can cause health complications over time.
She added that being found in an environment where people smoke tobacco can also affect nonsmokers with several complications such as oral cancer, liver and kidney Cancer, heart problems among other complications.
Meanwhile, Ndola District Health Office Mental Health Coordinator Anna Chipeta called on young people to desist from smoking tobacco as it is one of the contributors to early deaths.
Ms Chipeta said the health Centre is available to help counsel drug addicts and youths from taking drugs.