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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties 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 sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation 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 going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.