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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume 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 total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.