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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

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.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

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

The circumstance that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.