‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant opposed regulations in Africa that are mandatory in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation recommends punishments for various offences “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.