‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation opposed regulations in Africa which are mandatory in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments 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 sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” 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.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.