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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.