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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.