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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list 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 proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

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 many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.