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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments 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 continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.