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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions 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 perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

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

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends 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 proposed legislation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

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

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.