Regulatory guidance for every participant
All stakeholders within the tobacco value chain are expected to comply with applicable laws, regulations, licensing conditions, and operational standards.
Compliance ResponsibilitiesPromoting responsible
Promoting responsible
industry practices.
TBZ promotes transparency, accountability, quality assurance, and sustainable industry development through registration, licensing, inspections, monitoring, and enforcement.
Five responsibility areas
Grower, licensing, sales and marketing, quality standards, and sustainability obligations help keep Zambia's tobacco value chain lawful and transparent.
◍ Key AreasCore compliance areas
Core compliance areas
for lawful tobacco trade.
These obligations guide registration, licensing, approved varieties, market conduct, reporting, and licensed sales floor participation.
◍ Prohibited ActivitiesActivities that put
Activities that put
compliance
at risk.
Stakeholders should seek guidance before acting where registration, licensing, variety approval, import authority, or sales procedures are unclear.
Operating Without Registration
Growing tobacco for sale without valid registration is prohibited.
Unlicensed Tobacco Sales
Selling tobacco outside licensed sales floors is prohibited.
Unauthorized Tobacco Imports
Importing unauthorized tobacco for sale is prohibited.
Non-Approved Tobacco Varieties
Growing or selling unapproved varieties is prohibited.
False Information
Providing misleading or false information to TBZ is an offence.
◍ Inspection & EnforcementInspection and
Inspection and
Enforcement
TBZ appoints inspectors to monitor production sites, storage facilities, and sales floors. Review compliance guidance
◍ Sustainable Practices
Sustainable and ethical tobacco practices
01
Afforestation and responsible land management
02
Safe and lawful working conditions
03
Child labour prevention across the value chain
04
Sustainable tobacco production methods
Penalties & ViolationsPenalties and
Penalties and
enforcement measures
Violations of the Tobacco Act may result in enforcement measures in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory procedures.
Licence Suspension
Temporary suspension may apply when operators breach licence conditions.
Licence Revocation
Serious or repeated violations may lead to cancellation of operating licences.
Financial Penalties
Fines may be imposed in accordance with applicable tobacco regulations.
Compliance Directives
TBZ may issue corrective directives to restore lawful operations.
Legal Prosecution
Certain violations may be prosecuted under the Tobacco Act and related laws.