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The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard 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 subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.