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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

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

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.