🔗 Share this article

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.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

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

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about industry interference with health policies. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

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

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.