‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

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

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities specifically advises a caution must occupy at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

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

Company justification

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

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 fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum 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 cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.