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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.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“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.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

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

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, 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 current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations 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 smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

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