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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.