‘Utter hypocrisy’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa which are mandatory in UK

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

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of corporate influence worldwide. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments 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 were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.