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British American Tobacco has been accused of “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 requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention 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 worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.