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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions 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 sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.