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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.