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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing amendments to a draft bill that include lowering the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavored smoking items, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year die from smoking-associated diseases, according to global health agency statistics.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

Worldwide lobbying patterns

It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities raised concerns that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“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,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Potential consequences

“If a tobacco control measure isn’t passed because of this letter, the cost might be borne in individuals' health who might potentially stop smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC suggested parameters”, postponed for minimum 12 months after the legislation is approved.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least half of the cigarette package face “and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a product container sides.

Flavored tobacco discussion

BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavored cigarette varieties, claiming that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill proposes sanctions for various offences “extending from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”.

Business explanation

Via documentation, the company executive of the African subsidiary says the firm is “committed to responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Campaigner rebuttal

The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

The reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he stated.

“We live in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my garden and collect the yield and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the campaigner stated. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for relevant group engagement in legislation creation.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, mentioning that underage people should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support developing rules to realize planned community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on corporations, customers and associated groups,” the representative explained, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the Zambian market and smoking product business, which includes rising levels of black market activity”.

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