🔗 Share this article

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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

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