‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are law in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.