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

British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

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

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties 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 Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, 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 community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said 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 reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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