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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.