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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

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 main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.