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The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating 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 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 global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health 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 requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” 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.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop 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 total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.