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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking 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 continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests 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 proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.