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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications 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 were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.