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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection 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 smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.