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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

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

Activist commentary

“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,” stated the health advocate.

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

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.