IN CONVERSATION WITH BARRISTER SABRINA ZARIN, Head of Litigation and Commercial, British American Tobacco Bangladesh  

 — Interview by Barrister Mohammad Moyen Uddin

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Ms. Sabrina Zarin has established a strong presence within Bangladesh’s corporate legal sector. Before she came into the corporate world, she practiced before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh representing cleints of civil, criminal, constitutional and tax matters. Sabrina does not just lead by words; she leads by example and becoming a true role model for all who work with her. British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) is one of the largest multinational companies operating since 1910 in Bangladesh. BATB is the largest tax-payer of the country for many years and places high emphasis on consumer protection and product liability amongst others. In this interview, Barrister Zarin highlights the company’s key consumer protection practices while reflecting on her leadership journey and vision for the future.

 How does BATB’s legal department navigate regulatory requirements in Bangladesh?

 The tobacco industry operates under strict regulatory oversight, particularly under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act. In this environment, maintaining regulatory compliance requires a proactive and structured legal framework.

At BATB, legal oversight is integrated into key stages of product development, packaging decisions, and market conduct. No product launch or modification proceeds without legal review to ensure alignment with statutory requirements and regulatory expectations.

We also closely monitor legislative developments and enforcement trends. When regulatory changes occur, the legal team conducts rapid impact assessments and coordinates implementation across functions. This proactive governance approach helps ensure compliance while maintaining regulatory credibility and operational continuity.

 What are the key consumer protection compliance challenges in your sector?

Consumer protection compliance in our sector is highly technical and visible. Strict adherence to applicable requirements is required for health warnings and packaging standards, alongside full compliance with advertising restrictions.

One key challenge is ensuring strict adherence to detailed specifications, such as the size, placement, and rotation of health warnings on packaging. Another challenge is operating within a tightly restricted communication environment where any brand-related activity must be carefully assessed for regulatory compliance.

Given these complexities, organizations must move beyond formal compliance and demonstrate consistent governance discipline. At BATB, structured legal oversight and cross-functional coordination help ensure that compliance remains embedded in everyday business operations.

How does the legal department coordinate with operational teams to manage regulatory risks?

At BATB, the Legal Department functions as a strategic partner within the organization. Effective compliance requires continuous coordination between legal, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, supply chain, and commercial teams.

Legal review is embedded at key operational checkpoints, ensuring that regulatory considerations are addressed before business decisions are finalized. Cross-functional engagement, documented approval workflows, and compliance training help reinforce accountability across departments.

Equally important is encouraging early escalation of potential issues. This integrated governance model allows the organization to address challenges proactively and maintain strong regulatory compliance.

How is the regulatory landscape evolving, and what does it mean for corporate legal leadership?

The regulatory environment surrounding the tobacco sector continues to evolve, with policymakers increasingly addressing broader structural challenges within the market. Two issues that are receiving growing attention are the global discussion around Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and the persistent challenge of the illicit cigarette trade.

THR has become an important area of policy debate internationally, as regulators consider how emerging tobacco products should be approached within existing tobacco control frameworks. These discussions require careful regulatory assessment to ensure that policy decisions remain evidence-based and aligned with broader public health and governance objectives.

At the same time, the illicit cigarette market presents a multifaceted challenge. Illicit products undermine regulatory oversight, distort legitimate market competition, and result in significant losses of government revenue through tax evasion. Addressing this issue requires coordinated regulatory enforcement, stronger supply chain monitoring, and policy measures that effectively curb illegal trade.

For corporate legal leadership, these developments highlight the importance of maintaining close engagement with the evolving policy landscape. Legal teams must not only ensure compliance with existing regulations but also anticipate emerging regulatory priorities and support responsible, well-governed business practices in an increasingly complex operating environment.

QUOTE:

“Legal teams must go beyond compliance—anticipating regulatory shifts and supporting responsible business practices in an increasingly complex landscape.”