‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation opposed rules in Africa that are law in UK

British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Campaign in Zambia

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a proposed legislation that include reductions in the recommended coverage of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“We see evidence of business advocacy globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

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

Global health authorities in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the front of a pack “and aim to cover as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation proposes sanctions for different infractions “varying from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments 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 many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

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

Standard business position

The company representative stated: “The company operates its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the appropriate structures which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that minors should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.