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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

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

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing 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”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect 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 company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.