🔗 Share this article

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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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 health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about industry interference with health policies. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

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