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British American Tobacco has been accused of “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 dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.