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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media 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 abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact 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. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “The company operates its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.