The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) has raised the alarm over plans by British American Tobacco (BAT) to export ‘kiddie’ cigarette packs to Sudan with a call on governments of the continent to protect the world and Africa’s children from the harmful effects of tobacco products.
In a petition by Executive Secretary of ATCA, Leonce Sessou titled: Protect the World’s Children: Do Not Allow British American Tobacco To Export Kiddie Packs of Cigarettes to Sudan (Africa), the group said over 60 public health advocates representing 54 organizations from 25 African countries had earlier appealed to the government of Pakistan on the subject matter.
“We, public health advocates in countries across the African continent have worked tirelessly for years for the adoption and implementation of tobacco control laws and policies. Just like in Pakistan, these laws protect children, vulnerable populations and the general public in Africa. In Pakistan and many other countries, regulations don’t allow packs smaller than 20 cigarettes to be sold.
“These smaller packs of cigarettes, known as “kiddie” packs, make it easier, cheaper and more likely the children will buy them. The 20-cigarette rule is a global standard. In Pakistan, British American Tobacco (BAT) is pushing to change regulations so that it can manufacture 10-stick cigarette packs and export them to Sudan,” the statement reads.
It however, argued that the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in its Article 16 calls for Parties to prohibit the sale of cigarettes in small packets, which increases the affordability of such products to minors. Consequently, Pakistan as a party to the Convention should not allow the manufacturing of 10-stick cigarette packs.
ATCA also expressed concern that BAT claimed that it will not sell kiddie packs in Pakistan, but will do so only in Africa, adding: “It is unconscionable that BAT thinks it is alright to change a law on one continent to target vulnerable populations on another.
“In Sudan and other countries in Africa, people need food, medicine and other lifesaving support. What they do not need is kiddie packs of cigarettes that put them at increased risk of tobacco addiction, diseases and death.
Read also: Tackling Nigeria’s NCDs burden through healthy diets, resisting industry manipulation
“And we know that once BAT gets kiddie packs into one country, they will make their way across Africa. The tobacco giant claims to care about protecting children in some parts of the world, yet in Africa, it is scheming to hook more people into its addictive products and to increase cigarette consumption.”
The group further argued that if a product is too dangerous for one country’s children, it is too dangerous for children anywhere and as such, putting other people’s children at risk of tobacco addiction, diseases and death is unacceptable.
“We refuse for Pakistan to acquiesce to BAT’s will – Don’t put African kids at risk by changing the tobacco control regulations in Pakistan,” the statement added.
ATCA, a non-profit, non-political, pan-African network of civil society organizations with headquarters in Lome, Togo, has members in 39 countries and is dedicated to promoting public health and curbing the tobacco epidemic in Africa.
As an observer to the WHO-FCTC Conference of Parties and Meeting of Parties to the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products, it has a Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC and is accredited as a regional non-state actor (NSA) with the WHO AFRO.
