🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties 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 proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

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 circumstance that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.