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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

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

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product 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”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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