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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence globally. 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.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated 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 circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.