‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa which are law in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“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,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

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

The fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.