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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “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 fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.