‘Utter hypocrisy’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa that are mandatory in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“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 health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Via documentation, the company recommends this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

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

The reality that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, adding that young individuals should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We champion developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which involves rising levels of illicit trade”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.