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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented 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 community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for 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% “following international suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

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

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

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.