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

The tobacco company stands accused of “total contradiction” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the African officials requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Anti-tobacco campaigner response

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to smoking-associated diseases, according to WHO calculations.

The advocate mentioned the letter was believed to have been distributed to several government departments and was in circulating through civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, international health experts raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of business advocacy everywhere. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN international gathering,” stated the tobacco industry watchdog.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Via documentation, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list 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 draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to a decade in prison”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that many such provisions were present in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “complete contradiction”, he stated.

“We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children 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.”

Standard business position

The company representative commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the firm contributes in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to accomplish desired population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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