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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers 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 outlawed across the UK since 2020.

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

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.