🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated 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 reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.