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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment 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.