‘Total contradiction’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against rules in Africa that are law in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” said Jorge Alday.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, deferred for no less than one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. 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 company was “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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