‘Complete double standard’: Cigarette corporation opposed rules in Africa that are mandatory in UK

The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” said the anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization estimates.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within civil society groups.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid broader worries about corporate intervention with public health regulations. Last month, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations.

“There is proof of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog.

Potential consequences

“When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.”

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

Corporate counter-proposals

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavor restrictions debate

The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends 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 proposed legislation proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Through correspondence, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the corporation is focused on ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Activist reaction

The advocate stated the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said.

“We reside in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.”

Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Moreover, the corporation engages in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, noting that BAT’s proposals “represent the situation of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of illicit trade”.

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