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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

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 anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes 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 pending regulation suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation 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 the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.