🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include lowering the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on good corporate behaviour” 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 advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

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

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.