🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures 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 multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.