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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

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

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.