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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media 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 amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming 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 various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.