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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in 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.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We exist in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.