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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

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

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.