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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.