🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.