🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection 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 suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use 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 collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.