'Utter hypocrisy': Tobacco giant's double standards exposed
British American Tobacco faces accusations of complete hypocrisy after documents revealed the company lobbied against tobacco control measures in Zambia that have been standard practice in its home UK market for years.
A confidential letter obtained by the Guardian shows BAT's Zambian subsidiary directly approached government ministers seeking to water down proposed legislation that would protect public health.
What BAT wanted changed
The tobacco multinational made several key requests to weaken Zambia's draft tobacco control bill:
Reduce graphic health warnings from the proposed 75% of packaging to just 30-50%, despite WHO recommending at least 50% coverage. The UK requires 65% coverage on both front and back of packets.
Remove restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting only prohibiting flavours based on desserts, candy and soft drinks. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.
Weaken penalties for companies breaking the new laws, which currently range from percentage of annual turnover to 10 years imprisonment.
Delay implementation of advertising bans and other measures by at least 12 months after the bill passes.
Human cost of tobacco in Zambia
Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner, didn't mince words about the implications. "If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people," he stated.
The stakes are alarmingly high. World Health Organization estimates indicate more than 7,000 Zambians die each year from tobacco-related illnesses.
Chimbala emphasised the global responsibility, saying: "We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour's children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour's children are dying … is in itself total emotional, moral and spiritual bankruptcy."
Broader pattern of industry interference
This case forms part of a wider concerning trend identified by global health authorities. Last month, WHO officials warned that the tobacco industry is intensifying efforts to weaken control measures worldwide.
Jorge Alday, director of tobacco industry watchdog STOP at Vital Strategies, confirmed: "We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting on NCDs."
The potential consequences are measured in human lives. Alday added: "If a tobacco control measure isn't passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking."
BAT's defence and response
In the controversial letter, Mukubesa Maliande, managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia, claimed the company supports government objectives to reduce smoking but argued that "some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences."
BAT Zambia later stated they conduct business "in compliance with applicable local laws" and participate in legislative processes through proper stakeholder engagement frameworks.
The company spokesperson said they advocate for "progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals" while considering market realities, including rising illicit trade levels.
However, Chimbala countered that BAT's proposed changes would "weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved."
He pointed to the fundamental contradiction: "The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was utter hypocrisy itself."
Zambia's proposed legislation would actually go beyond current UK laws by applying the same restrictions to e-cigarettes and mandating larger health warnings.
