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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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,” stated the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director 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 “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which enable interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.