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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations 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 proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

International experts 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”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties 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 suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.