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

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends 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 pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.