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

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about industry interference with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation 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 corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

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

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.