ALCOHOL POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORMS IN ZAMBIA SOUTHERN AFRICA ALCOHOL POLICY FORUM 6-8 NOVEMBER 2012 JOHANNESBURG

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 Committeein 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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