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

British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a draft bill that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while recognizing the range of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.