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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

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.