🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid 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 failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

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