🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

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

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

International experts 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 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by 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 portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

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

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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