Understanding 2026 Tobacco Regulations – Part 1

FOR Zambia’s tobacco industry to grow sustainably, there must be clear rules that promote transparency, accountability, fair trading and responsible production. It is against this background that the Tobacco (General) Regulations 2026 have been introduced to provide a modern regulatory framework for the sector.
The regulations, issued as Statutory Instrument No. 45 of 2026 and commenced on May 22, 2026, are made pursuant to the Tobacco Act No. 10 of 2022.
They replace a number of older regulations dating back to 1968 and 2018, bringing the regulatory framework in line with the current Tobacco Act.
For tobacco growers, these changes should not simply be viewed as additional regulatory requirements. Rather, they are an important step towards creating a more organised, traceable and credible tobacco industry in Zambia.
One of the most important provisions concern grower registration. Any person intending to grow tobacco for sale on a licensed sales floor is required to apply to the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) for registration as a grower. TBZ is required to consider the application and either approve or reject it within 30 days. The registration period for each production season runs from April 1 to November 30.
This requirement is particularly important because registration provides a foundation for knowing who is producing tobacco, where it is being produced and how much is being produced. Such information strengthens traceability and enables better planning and regulation of the industry.
Growers should therefore treat registration as an essential part of tobacco production rather than something to be addressed at the last minute. Those seeking renewal can apply three months before expiry, subject to meeting the prescribed requirements, including having suitable fields and adequate curing and storage facilities, submitting required returns and complying with the law.
Another significant aspect of the Tobacco Regulations is traceability of tobacco from the grower to the market.
Growers are required to mark bales with their registered or allotted number and attach a tag containing information such as the grower’s registration number, lot number, buyer and area where the tobacco was grown.
For growers, this means that every bale must be properly identified. This is important because traceability promotes accountability and makes it easier to establish the origin of tobacco throughout the marketing chain.
The Tobacco Regulations 2026 also establish clear requirements for bale packaging and weight.
Saleable tobacco must be properly packed and sewn, while bales must meet prescribed weight and dimensional requirements.
Growers should consequently pay close attention to how tobacco is packed before taking it to the market. Proper packaging is not merely about presentation; it contributes to maintaining the quality, integrity and value of the crop.
Perhaps one of the strongest messages in the regulations relates to nesting. Nesting involves deliberately concealing substandard tobacco, stems, scraps, loose leaf or other material inside a bale of graded tobacco with the intention of misleading the buyer about its quality or weight. The Regulations prohibit the sale of nested tobacco. Where nesting is confirmed, the affected bale may be confiscated, while repeated cases can result in deregistration of the grower.This provision should be understood as a protection for the reputation of Zambia’s tobacco industry. Every grower has a responsibility to ensure that the tobacco presented for sale accurately represents its quality and weight. Short-term attempts to gain an advantage through dishonest practices can ultimately damage the entire industry.
The new Regulations also provide for a two percent levy on the total sales value of leviable tobacco, with buyers or salesfloor operators responsible for withholding and remitting the levy in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
Ultimately, regulations can only achieve their intended purpose when growers and other industry players understand and comply with them. The 2026 Regulations provide an opportunity to strengthen confidence in Zambia’s tobacco sector by improving registration, traceability, market discipline and accountability.
As the industry prepares for the ongoing and coming marketing seasons, growers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the requirements and engage the Tobacco Board of Zambia whenever clarification is needed.
A well-regulated tobacco industry is not only about enforcing rules. It is about building a market where growers are identifiable, tobacco is traceable, quality is protected and all legitimate participants can operate with greater confidence.
For every tobacco grower, understanding the 2026 regulations is therefore not just about compliance; it is about being part of a more transparent, credible and sustainable Zambian tobacco industry.
The author is Tobacco Board of Zambia executive director.