ATCA Alerts Nigeria to British American Tobacco’s Plan to Export ‘Kiddie Packs’ to Africa

The African Tobacco Control Alliance, ATCA has issued a warning to Nigeria about British American Tobacco, BAT’s intentions to export small cigarette packs, known as “kiddie” packs, from Pakistan to Africa.

In a statement supported by 60 public health advocates from 54 organizations across 25 African countries, ATCA urged the Pakistani government to block BAT’s proposal to manufacture and export 10-stick cigarette packs to Sudan. The organization emphasized that such packs are more affordable and accessible to children, undermining global tobacco control efforts.

ATCA highlighted that over 180 countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sudan, are signatories to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, FCTC, which mandates prohibiting the sale of cigarettes individually or in small packets. This convention aims to reduce the affordability and accessibility of tobacco products to minors. Currently, at least 82 countries have laws requiring a minimum of 20 sticks per pack.

“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,” ATCA stated. “Just like in Pakistan, these laws protect children, vulnerable populations, and the general public in Africa.”

The statement condemned BAT’s claim that the kiddie packs would only be sold in Sudan, warning that if BAT succeeds in Sudan, other African countries would likely follow.

“British American Tobacco’s claim is that it will not sell kiddie packs in Pakistan, but only in Africa. It is unconscionable that BAT thinks it is acceptable to change a law on one continent to target vulnerable populations on another,” ATCA noted.

In Sudan and other African countries, the public needs essential resources such as food and medicine, not more accessible tobacco products, ATCA argued. The organization stressed that allowing kiddie packs would increase the risk of tobacco addiction, diseases, and deaths among Africans.

“British American Tobacco 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,” ATCA stated. “If a product is too dangerous for one country’s children, it is too dangerous for children anywhere. Putting other people’s children at risk of tobacco addiction, disease, and death is unacceptable.”

ATCA’s statement concluded with a firm appeal: “We refuse for Pakistan to acquiesce to BAT’s will – Do not put African kids at risk by changing the strong tobacco control regulations in Pakistan.”