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

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill 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 firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“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,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. 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 community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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