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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, 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 legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.