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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.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.