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

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments 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 existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

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

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.