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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

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

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

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

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

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

“We champion progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.