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

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “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.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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