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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions 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 continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

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

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.