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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

Thousands of residents a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield 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 perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

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.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.