🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “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 product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.