🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from 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 civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid expanded apprehension about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a warning should cover 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 need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.