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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims 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 reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

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

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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