Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.
Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.
The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.
“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.
Thousands of residents a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.
Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.
The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.
“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.
“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.
In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.
The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a product container sides.
The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.
The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.
Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”
Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.
The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.
“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard 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 generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”
Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”
A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”
The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.
“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.
Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.
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