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

African regulatory opposition

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

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

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

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.