‘Complete double standard’: Cigarette corporation opposed rules in Africa that are law in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “following international suggested parameters”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.