🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

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

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.