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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.