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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.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.