‘Utter hypocrisy’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa which are law in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a pending law that include lowering the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“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,” commented Master Chimbala.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Recently, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities specifically advises a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, claiming that it would drive users to “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect 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 “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard 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 generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The company was “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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