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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

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

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list 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 proposed legislation suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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