‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant opposed rules in Africa that are law in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to realize planned public health goals, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves rising levels of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.