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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.