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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

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “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 packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, adding that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.