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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

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

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy 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 are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product 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”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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