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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

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

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.