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British American Tobacco has been accused of “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 firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

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

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. 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 benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

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