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

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

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.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” 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 proposed legislation recommends punishments for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.