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Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

Zambian lobbying efforts

A letter obtained by media sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials requests plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and diminished punishments for any businesses disregarding the new laws.

Activist commentary

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate.

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

The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in distribution within community advocacy networks.

Global industry interference concerns

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. In recent weeks, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

“There is proof of industry lobbying worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” said the tobacco industry watchdog.

Possible outcomes

“When public health regulation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the price could be paid in individuals' health who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

In the letter, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “according to global guideline limits”, delayed for at least twelve months after the bill passes.

International experts specifically advises a alert needs to encompass at least 50% of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass sixty-five percent of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavored cigarette varieties, arguing that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but claims that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

The campaigner argued BAT’s proposed changes would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”.

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

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are perishing … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the advocate mentioned. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. It only protects the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative said: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with relevant national regulations. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in legislation creation.”

The corporation remained “not opposed to regulation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be protected from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to realize planned public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.