ALCOHOL POLICY AND

LEGISLATIVE REFORMS IN

ZAMBIA

SOUTHERN AFRICA ALCOHOL POLICY

FORUM

6-8 NOVEMBER 2012

JOHANNESBURG

Focus

Historical perspective

The alcohol industry in Zambia & trading environment

Surveys and SA around alcohol in Zambia

Policy history, processes and where we are

Actions and Challenges

Opportunities

Recommendations

1964, First republican

President, His Excellency

Dr. Kenneth Kaunda

briefly resigned as

Republican President

following the observation

that Zambians were

drinking too much

alcohol at the expense of

developing the nation

.

Liberal economy

In the 1990’s government introduced

economic liberalization and several

parastatal organizations, including Zambia

Breweries, were privatized.

However, the re-introduction of Multi-

Party Democracy in 1991 saw the

liberalization of the economy.

In a short period the number of

breweries increased rapidly..

Surveys & Situation Analysis

There is widespread consumption of

alcohol in Zambia

According to the ZDHS of 2002, 76% of

men consumed alcohol at that time, while

for women it was 23%

Surveys & Situation Analysis

According to the survey children as young as 13 had indulged in drinking alcohol; grade 7’s abused alcohol more than students in grades 8 and 9.

Consumption was higher among females (45.5%) than among males (38.9%).

In the age group of 16+, females (49.9%) drank more alcohol one or more times than males (35.9%).

Surveys & Situation Analysis

It was noted that alcohol consumption also

increased with age.

5.3% of 15-19 year-olds females consumed

alcohol, while the figure for males in the

same age bracket was 22%.

Surveys & Situation Analysis

The Zambia Global School Health Survey (2004) conducted its research among students in grades 7-10, in 47 schools, in all 9 provinces.

This survey indicated that 42.6% of the 2,257 students who participated had taken alcohol on one or more occasions during the previous 30 days

Surveys & Situation Analysis

Among women between 40-49 years the

figure was 17% while that of their male

counterparts was 57.3%.

The percentages decreased for people

between the ages of 50-59.

Surveys & Situation Analysis

◦ USAID SHARe 1 Project agreed to support

conducting a new Situational Analysis on

Alcohol and other drugs 2010

◦ Local Consultants commissioned to conduct

SA on Alcohol and other drugs

◦ New draft Situation Analysis Report produced

in 2010

Surveys & Situation Analysis

The Non-Communicable Diseases

Strategic Plan (2011-2015), has identified

Alcohol as a major risk factor for NCDs

in Zambia in particular for trauma and

injuries, cardiovascular diseases, cancers,

diabetes and mental illnesses.

Policy history, processes and where we are

Strong Brewery Industry initiative and presence

noticed

◦ Glamorization of alcohol

◦ Intention for Industry to regulate itself

◦ Weak language on advertising, sponsorship and promotion

◦ Weak linkages with other related issues, HIV/AIDS, Gender based violence, Child Abuse etc

◦ Generally, results of the Situation Analysis were perceived to be weak

Policy history, processes and where we are

The following occurred in 2008-9:

◦ First multi-sectoral meeting on Alcohol Policy

held at Cresta Golf View Hotel in Lusaka

◦ Formation of Technical Working Group to

Draft Concept Paper

◦ The Zero Draft Alcohol Policy Document was

developed and subjected to a National

Consensus Meeting lasting 2-3 Days in 2009

Policy history, processes and where we are

The following advocacy and alcohol policy development

work including legislative reforms started and included:

◦ Strong lobby for a Pro-Public Health approach

to Alcohol Policy Development-2009-2010

◦ Consultations and call for strengthening of

Situation Analysis in favour of Public Health

issues-Mental Health Unit-MOH with

concerned individuals and stakeholders-2010

Policy history, processes and where we are

◦ In terms of Alcohol policy development, there is now a Draft 6 Alcohol Policy document to be circulated to line ministries for comments and support –Meeting will be taking place from 11-12 October, 2012

◦ Draft 7 Alcohol Policy document will be taken to Cabinet Office-Policy Advisory Committee-in November, 2012

Policy history, processes and where we are

◦ Final Document to be submitted to Cabinet

for approval-December, 2012

◦ CSO participation has been high in the draft

process especially draft 4,5,6 with technical

from FORUT to CSOs Plus MoH and Other

line ministries

Actions and challenges

The new liquor licensing Act of 2011 was

earlier promulgated to regulate the sale

and supply of intoxicating liquors.

Local authorities have taken the issue of

law reinforcement seriously

Fines are low for offenders both traders

and parents

Actions and challenges

The production, importation, packing, distribution, selling and consumption of “Tujilijili”, alcohol packed in small sachets was BANNED by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing through a Statutory Instrument of April 2012.

Re surfaces of tujilijili in bottles, unlimited access, low prices and high alcohol content 46%, unrestricted alcohol ads

Removal of SI number 96 of 2011 which was much stronger replaced with weaker 2012 number 64

TRULY ZAMBIAN!!!

Opportunities

The establishments of the Civil Society

group called the Zambia Network Against

Harmful Use of Alcohol [ZNAHUA] plays

an import role in the on-going sensitization

and implementation of programmes against

harmful use of Alcohol, Advocacy and

lobbying

Opportunities at MoH

The programs are supported by Ministry of Health and its partners

About 360 Health Workers have been trained in the management of Alcohol and other harmful related substances.

Opportunities

There is wider participation by the Civil

Society and other implementing partners in

the policy developing process

The media houses continue to support the

development of the legal reforms which

resulted in the ban of “Tujili Jili”

Challenges

Ministry of Health and Local authorities’

lack of human resources to respond to

the challenges related to harmful use of

alcohol

Scarcity of resources renders a challenge

to the effectiveness for monitoring and

evaluation of the designed programs.

Recommendations

MoH continues to lobby the Zambian

government for more resource mobilization to address the problems related to the harmful use of alcohol.

The civil society operating in the area of alcohol and other related harms continue to supplement government efforts at community level, advocate for improved service delivery, enforcement, policy implementation among other things

Recommendations

The on-going Capacity Buildings for both CSOs and MoH health workers in the management of alcohol related harm.

Specific action focusing on masculinity and femininity as a new treads, HIV/AIDS & Alcohol

Establishment of treatment facilities, in other parts of the country outside Lusaka.

Sustainability opportunity

The Non-Communicable Diseases

Strategic Plan of 2011-2015 has fully

integrated Alcohol as major risk factor.

Conclusion Contd…

Cross cultural relevance

◦ Harmful use of alcohol has negative consequences not only to the individual user but also to those around them, the community and the society at large.

◦ Therefore, addressing harmful use of alcohol indirectly helps to prevent risk behaviors such as Gender Based Violence-GBV and Child Abuse.

◦ Cohesion, orderliness and sanity are enhanced in society when harmful use of alcohol is reduced.

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