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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

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

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.