🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations 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 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 succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director 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 related medical consequences” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

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