🔗 Share this article

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

Zambian lobbying efforts

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

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists 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 high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.