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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop 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 neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.