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

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, 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.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

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

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments 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 many such provisions operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes 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 BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.