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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments 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,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated 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 circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.