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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” 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

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.