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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings 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

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by 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 multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation 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 company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.