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

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “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 packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop 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 neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

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

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.