‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health 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 stipulating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We exist in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to accomplish desired community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.