🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media 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 corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.