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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures 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 plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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