🔗 Share this article

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

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated 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 potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid 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 complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

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