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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation 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 progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

International experts actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.