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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, arguing that it would lead smokers 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 outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.