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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts 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 nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules 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 fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.