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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying 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 requests measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes 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 recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.