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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, 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 community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.