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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated 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 fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.