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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

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

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list 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 draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.