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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

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

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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