‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are law in UK

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about industry interference with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

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

The tobacco control bill being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the legislation is approved.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to good corporate behaviour” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We live in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We advocate for developing rules to accomplish desired public health goals, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.