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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO actually suggests 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 need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on 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 various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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 numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.