🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during expanded apprehension about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.

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

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the company executive of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he commented.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.