As tobacco-related fatalities continue to rise, Drug Fight Malawi is urging the government to move beyond ratifying international treaties and begin strict enforcement of smoking regulations to protect the country’s youth.
Executive Director of Drug Fight Malawi, Nelson Baziwelo Zakeyu, has raised alarm over what he describes as a “silent epidemic” of tobacco-related deaths.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Zakeyu noted that thousands of Malawians are dying each year from smoke-related illnesses.
“The situation is not all that good. We see cases of drug use increasing. Our young people are smoking, and even adults are smoking in the presence of children and their wives,” said Zakeyu. “People are dying silently.”
Recent findings from the organisation indicate that tobacco use is linked to nearly 9,000 deaths in Malawi, with more than 4,400 deaths directly attributed to smoking-related complications.
A 27-year-old youth from Mzuzu, who requested anonymity, echoed Zakeyu’s concerns, recounting his personal struggle with smoking.
“My life is no longer the same. I was told by doctors that if I continue, I will die,” he said. “I stayed in the hospital for months, and my studies were disrupted.”
Malawi made a significant step in addressing tobacco harm by ratifying the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2023.
However, Drug Fight Malawi stresses that ratification alone is insufficient without implementation.
“The ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on its own is not enough,” Zakeyu emphasised.
“We need to ensure that government adheres to the obligations set out in the convention.”
Zakeyu also expressed concern over the normalization of smoking in homes, warning that such practices expose children and young people to early addiction and long-term health risks.
Drug Fight Malawi, a non-governmental organisation focused on drug control and alcohol abuse prevention, says it is ready to complement government efforts by translating policy into tangible public health outcomes.
As Malawi moves forward post-ratification, civil society groups are calling for urgent action, including the enforcement of smoke-free environments and intensified public awareness campaigns.
By Tionge Hara, AfricaBrief