‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against regulations in Africa which are mandatory in UK

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

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“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,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

International experts actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued 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 fact that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with relevant national regulations. Further, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.