🔗 Share this article

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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties 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 pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change 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 live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “The company operates its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.