‘Utter hypocrisy’: Tobacco giant opposed rules in Africa which are law in UK

The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

Documents seen by journalists sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” stated the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

The situation emerges alongside expanded apprehension about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the company recommends this be decreased to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved.

The WHO actually suggests a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties 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”.

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch claims the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “backs the goals of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We exist in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Formal company response

A BAT Zambia spokesperson commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Additionally, the corporation engages in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which allow for relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that underage people should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We advocate for evolving legislation to achieve intended population health targets, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which involves growing volumes of black market activity”.

The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.