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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” 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 proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to 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.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

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

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.