The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.
Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.
The corporation is pursuing changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.
“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.
Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.
Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.
This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.
“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.
“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.
In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international suggested parameters”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.
Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.
BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.
The proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.
Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”
The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.
The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.
“We exist in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”
Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”
The company representative stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”
The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.
“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.
Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.
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