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

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

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

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, 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, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” 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 outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

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

The reality that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and collect the yield 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 total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.