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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” 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 proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said 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 fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, noting that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.