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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.