🔗 Share this article

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

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes 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 pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.