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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“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 health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure 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.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, adding that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.