🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Over seven thousand citizens a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

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

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “The company operates its operations according with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not against rules”, they said, mentioning that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, 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 tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of illegal commerce”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was contacted for response.