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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents 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 multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from 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 multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.