🔗 Share this article

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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“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,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

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

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.