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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% 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 elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.