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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.