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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said 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 reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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