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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities 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 primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The reality that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.