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British American Tobacco has been accused of “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 dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about industry interference with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

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

Formal company response

The company representative stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.