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

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating 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,” said the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

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

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“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 including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

Chimbala said 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 numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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