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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” 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 corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

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

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.