🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures 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 country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

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

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes 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 future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

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