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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

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

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.