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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” 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 firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

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

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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