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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

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

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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