‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa which are law in UK

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

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

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

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

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

The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for different infractions “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

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