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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired 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 Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.