🔗 Share this article ‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are mandatory in UK The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK. Campaign in Zambia A letter obtained by media sent from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed. The company is attempting modifications of a pending law that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any firms breaking the new laws. Health advocate reaction “Were I in government, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate. Thousands of residents a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics. Chimbala said the letter was known to have been circulated to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through public interest organizations. Global industry interference concerns The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations. “Evidence exists of industry lobbying worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog. Potential consequences “Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.” The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover three-quarters of product packaging. Business countermeasures In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the law is enacted. The WHO actually suggests 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 must cover nearly two-thirds of a packet’s front and back. Scented product controversy BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, arguing that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020. The draft bill recommends punishments for various offences “varying from a percentage of annual turnover to a decade in prison”. Business explanation Through correspondence, the managing director of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but maintains that “specific rules can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.” Activist reaction The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”. The fact that multiple comparable regulations existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he said. “We reside in a connected world. If I plant tobacco in my property and collect the yield and sell it out – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are perishing … is in itself absolute spiritual failure.” Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. Measures simply defend the people.” Official corporate statement A BAT Zambia spokesperson stated: “The corporation runs its activities following with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in regulation development.” The firm positioned itself as “not opposed to regulation”, they said, noting that minors should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine. “We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, mentioning that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of black market activity”. The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.