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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.