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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about industry interference with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.