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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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