🔗 Share this article ‘Utter hypocrisy’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK. African regulatory opposition Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed. The tobacco firm seeks changes to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any businesses disregarding the new laws. Anti-tobacco campaigner response “As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said the health advocate. More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics. The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups. International corporate influence worries This occurs during wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, WHO officials raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions. “We see evidence of industry lobbying globally. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated Jorge Alday. Potential consequences “If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.” The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging. Business countermeasures In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “following international suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum one year after the legislation is approved. International experts in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides. Flavored tobacco discussion BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been prohibited in Britain since 2020. The pending regulation suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to ten-year jail sentences”. Business explanation Through correspondence, the corporate leader of British American Tobacco Zambia states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but asserts that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.” Activist reaction Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “undermine this law so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”. The fact that multiple comparable regulations operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he said. “We live in a connected world. 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 subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional bankruptcy.” Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.” Formal company response A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable stakeholder participation in regulation development.” The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine. “We champion evolving legislation to accomplish desired public health goals, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” they said, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves rising levels of black market activity”. The nation's ministry of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was approached for comment.