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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size 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

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

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

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” 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 outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products 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 future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

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