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

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from 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 changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

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

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

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

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

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.