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British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

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

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about industry interference with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation 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.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.