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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

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on 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 multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.