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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.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.