At least eight million people die from smoking annually surpassing obesity, alcohol, road accidents, drug misuse and HIV combined, an international health expert Dr. Clive Bates has disclosed. Bates has since called upon tobacco-growing countries like Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to prioritise public health policies in their decision-making processes. He made the sentiments during an informative session on science and harm. “Don’t lose sight of the public health agenda,” said Dr. Clive Bates who is the Director of Counterfactual Consulting – an international consulting and advocacy practice focusing on sustainability and public health.