🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

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

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. It suggests 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 proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said 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 reality that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

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