🔗 Share this article

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

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, 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 pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

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 public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on 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 multiple violations “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

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