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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for 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 “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

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