British American Tobacco has been criticized for lobbying to weaken proposed tobacco controls in Zambia that mirror measures already in force in the UK. A letter from BAT’s Zambian subsidiary, circulated to ministers and seen by the Guardian, urged that a draft tobacco control bill be abandoned or amended to reduce its impact.
The draft law would cover e-cigarettes, require graphic health warnings on 75% of packaging and introduce a range of penalties — from fines tied to a percentage of annual turnover to prison sentences of up to 10 years for serious offences. WHO guidance recommends health warnings of at least 50% of the front of packs; UK rules require 65% coverage across the front and back. The Zambian bill would therefore in some respects go further than UK legislation.
In its submission, BAT proposed lowering the size of graphic warnings to 30% or 50% and delaying implementation for at least 12 months after passage. The company also asked for the removal of wide bans on flavoured tobacco, warning such bans could push consumers toward illegal products, and suggested instead narrower restrictions aimed at dessert-, candy- and drink-style flavours. The UK has banned all flavoured cigarettes since 2020.
Anti-tobacco campaigners and public health groups condemned BAT’s approach. Master Chimbala, a Zambian campaigner, called the suggested amendments so weakening that they would fail to deliver long-term social change, labeling the company’s stance “utter hypocrisy” because the protections it now seeks to weaken are similar to those enforced in the UK. The World Health Organization estimates more than 7,000 Zambians die each year from tobacco-related illnesses.
The letter arrives against a backdrop of growing concern about tobacco industry interference in health policy. WHO officials have warned the industry is intensifying efforts to roll back or dilute control measures worldwide. Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at Vital Strategies, said industry lobbying is widespread and cited examples including delayed tax rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and influence at international meetings. He warned that if proposed measures fail because of such lobbying, lives that might have been saved could be lost.
BAT Zambia’s managing director, Mukubesa Maliande, said the company is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and supports government objectives to reduce smoking, but cautioned that some regulations can have “unwelcome and unexpected consequences.” A BAT Zambia spokesperson told the Guardian the company operates in compliance with local laws, participates in policymaking within accepted stakeholder frameworks and is “not opposed to regulation,” adding it supports protecting underage people and advocates “progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals,” while raising concerns about rising illicit trade in Zambia.
The company’s letter was reportedly shared among government departments and civil society groups. Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.