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

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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,” stated the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests banning a limited selection 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 suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.