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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

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

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.