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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 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 attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

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

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

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

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

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.