‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant opposed regulations in Africa that are law in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered 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 extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.