Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.
African regulatory opposition
Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.
The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.
Anti-tobacco campaigner response
“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.
More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.
Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.
Global industry interference concerns
It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to dilute worldwide restrictions.
“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.
Potential consequences
“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.
Company alternative suggestions
In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.
The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a product container sides.
Scented product controversy
The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection 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 draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.
Company justification
Through correspondence, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”
Activist reaction
The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.
The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.
“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and market the products – 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 neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”
Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”
Official corporate statement
The company representative stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”
The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that young individuals should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.
“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of black market activity”.
The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.
