‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against rules in Africa that are mandatory in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with public health regulations. In recent weeks, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN international gathering,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be reduced to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the law is enacted.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

In the letter, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative stated: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.