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

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation 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 going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

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

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.