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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities 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 known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

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

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.