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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

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.