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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

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.