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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

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

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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