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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes 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 draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

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

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.