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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.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.