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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be reduced to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – 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 neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.