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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments 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 perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, 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 public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “according to global suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

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

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.