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

British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations 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 proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing modifications of a proposed legislation that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of business advocacy worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting,” said the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be decreased to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia states the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself total emotional failure.”

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

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Additionally, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses rising levels of black market activity”.

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