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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.