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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

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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,” stated the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

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

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, adding that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.