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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts 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”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence 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 the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of black market activity”.

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