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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence worldwide. 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.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “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 removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

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 many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that underage people should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.