🔗 Share this article

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Recently, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover sixty-five percent of a product container sides.

Flavor restrictions debate

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for multiple violations “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Company justification

In the letter, the company executive of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change 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 said.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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