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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

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

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.