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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

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

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.