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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size 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.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.