🔗 Share this article

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

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a draft bill that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on scented cigarette varieties, 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,” commented the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulation among community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“There is proof of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, BAT suggests this be lowered to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities actually suggests a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “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 banned in the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he commented.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, adding that minors should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

The nation's ministry of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.