🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

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

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with health policies. Last month, global health authorities raised concerns that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, delayed for at least 12 months after the legislation is approved.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Company justification

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Public health laws in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Additionally, the firm contributes in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in legislation creation.”

The company was “not opposed to regulation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules 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 corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.