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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

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