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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties 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 “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.