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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.