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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

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