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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications 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 many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.