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

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.