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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “The company operates its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.