‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa that are law in UK
Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.
Campaign in Zambia
A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.
The corporation is pursuing amendments to a draft bill that include reductions in the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties 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,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.
More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.
Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations.
Worldwide lobbying patterns
It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations.
“We see evidence of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the corporate monitoring director.
Potential consequences
“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.
Corporate counter-proposals
Through correspondence, the corporation proposes this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.
Global health authorities actually suggests a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.
Flavored tobacco discussion
BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.
The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.
Business explanation
Through correspondence, the company executive of the African subsidiary states the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”
Campaigner rebuttal
Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the impact needed for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.
The reality that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.
“We live in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and collect the yield and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”
Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”
Formal company response
A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its activities following with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”
The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, they said, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.
“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “represent the situation of the local commercial environment and smoking product business, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.
The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.