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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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 Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

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

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to less than half “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover 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 are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.