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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes 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 diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests 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 recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.