‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant opposed rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK
British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.
Campaign in Zambia
Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.
The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.
Anti-tobacco campaigner response
“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.
More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.
Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through public interest organizations.
International corporate influence worries
The situation emerges alongside broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.
“We see evidence of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday.
Potential consequences
“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.
Business countermeasures
Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.
International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.
Scented product controversy
The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.
The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”.
Company justification
Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”
Critic response
The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.
The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he said.
“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”
Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”
Standard business position
A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”
The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.
“We champion progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”.
Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.
