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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.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. 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.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities 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”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.