Following a meeting between Vice President Saulos Chilima and the Tobacco Commission, the VP has commended TC’s efforts to enhance production of tobacco.

The commission has implemented a new Tobacco Industry Act that is aimed at sustaining the industry’s input to the national economy. TC Chief Executive Officer, Kaisi Sadala, also outlined that the new Act aims to reform areas bordering on strengthening regulatory framework, regulating tobacco production and promoting markets as well as improving financial sustainability.

This year’s tobacco selling season closed with total sales amounting to $173.5 million (about K130 billion) which is 23% lower than the sales registered during last year’s market season. According to figures by Auction Holdings Limited (AHL), the market this year sold 112.89 million kgs of tobacco as opposed to 165.67 million kgs sold last year, which was also what the company predicted last month. While the covid-19 pandemic stands as a contributing factor to the lowered sales, there was also a high rejection rate reaching up to 50% this year.