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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding 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,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.