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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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 Master Chimbala.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, global health authorities raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.