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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in 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.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list 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 suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.