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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.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends 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 draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.