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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

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

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

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

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, they said, noting that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.