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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

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

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.