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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

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

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass 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 product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” 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 proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid 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 complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.