🔗 Share this article

British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media dispatched by the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the nation's political leaders demands measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a proposed legislation that include lowering the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Thousands of residents a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The campaigner stated the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass nearly two-thirds of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The pending regulation proposes sanctions for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia says the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact” but claims that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations 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 were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.”

Public health laws 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.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Moreover, the firm contributes in the state's regulatory development in line with the suitable systems which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes growing volumes of illegal commerce”.

The country's office of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.