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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

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

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside 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 benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

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