🔗 Share this article

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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated 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 individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list 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 draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

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

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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