🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating 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,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure going through 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.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

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

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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