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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties 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 continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.