‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK

Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

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

Thousands of residents a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

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

Global industry interference concerns

This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with public health regulations. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

Global health authorities actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would drive users to “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary claims the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to lower tobacco use and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

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

The fact that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We exist in a connected world. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Standard business position

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

“We support evolving legislation to accomplish desired population health targets, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves increasing amounts of black market activity”.

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