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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.