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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against 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 nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.