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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

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

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

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.