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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.