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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.