The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.
A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.
The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.
“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.
Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.
The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.
The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.
“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.
“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”
The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.
Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.
The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.
The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting 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”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.
The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.
In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”
The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.
The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.
“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”
Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”
The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”
The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.
“We advocate for progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.
Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.
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