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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.