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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.