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British American Tobacco has been accused of “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 originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard 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 generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.