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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

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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