‘Utter hypocrisy’: Tobacco giant opposed regulations in Africa that are law in UK
British American Tobacco has been accused of “utter hypocrisy” for campaigning against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.
African regulatory opposition
A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.
The company is attempting changes to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.
Activist commentary
“Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.
More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations.
The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.
International corporate influence worries
It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.
“Evidence exists of business advocacy worldwide. 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,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.
Likely impacts
“If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.”
The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.
Business countermeasures
In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.
The WHO in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.
Flavor restrictions debate
BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.
The draft bill recommends punishments for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”.
Business explanation
Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the company is dedicated to responsible corporate conduct” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”
Campaigner rebuttal
The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.
The reality that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented.
“We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and gather the crop and sell it out – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my community's youth are succumbing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”
Tobacco control legislation in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.”
Standard business position
A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “The corporation runs its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which allow for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”
The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, adding that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.
“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of illegal commerce”.
The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was contacted for response.