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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about industry interference with health policies. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

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

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

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

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.