‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant opposed rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage 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 allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% 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 legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.