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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

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

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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