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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation 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 going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.