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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.