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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued 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 reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

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

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.