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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, 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 succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” 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 pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said 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 reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.