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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. 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 tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

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

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half 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

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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