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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

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

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased 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 caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … 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. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of illicit trade”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.