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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends 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”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We live in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.