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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued 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 many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.