🔗 Share this article

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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

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

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.