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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.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.