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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.