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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

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

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.