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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking 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 Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, 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 civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

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