🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for opposing 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 country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that young individuals should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

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