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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations 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 permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties 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 proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect 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 “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.