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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection 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 draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – 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 dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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