🔗 Share this article

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Correspondence acquired by reporters originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments 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 reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate.

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

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

International corporate influence worries

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.

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

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives 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 mandating that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, delayed for at least 12 months after the law is enacted.

International experts actually suggests a caution must occupy at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties 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 proposes sanctions for various offences “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but asserts that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its operations according with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

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

“We advocate for developing rules to realize planned population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

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