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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.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

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

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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