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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

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 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and collect the yield and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.