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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people 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 stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.