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The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” 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 proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.