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

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

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

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.