🔗 Share this article ‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa that are mandatory in UK The tobacco company stands accused of “utter hypocrisy” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK. Campaign in Zambia A letter obtained by media dispatched by the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred. The company is attempting amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws. Activist commentary “Were I in government, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented the health advocate. More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations. The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to various ministerial offices and was in distribution within public interest organizations. Global industry interference concerns It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, global health authorities issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was intensifying efforts to undermine international regulations. “We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN international gathering,” said the tobacco industry watchdog. Possible outcomes “Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.” The public health measure progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging. Company alternative suggestions In the letter, the corporation proposes this be decreased to 30% or 50% “following international recommended threshold”, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes. International experts actually suggests a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a product container sides. Flavored tobacco discussion The corporation requests the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, arguing that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. The company proposes banning a limited selection of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been outlawed across the UK since 2020. The proposed legislation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to ten-year jail sentences”. Business explanation Via documentation, the corporate leader of the Zambian branch says the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.” Activist reaction The campaigner argued the corporation's recommended amendments would “weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to create lasting transformation in society will not be achieved”. The fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he commented. “We live in a international community. Should I grow cigarettes in my back yard and harvest that and distribute the goods – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbor's family are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.” Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had failed to shutter businesses, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.” Standard business position The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its activities following with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which provide for relevant group engagement in regulation development.” The firm positioned itself as “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, noting that underage people should be protected from acquiring smoking products and nicotine. “We advocate for developing rules to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the local commercial environment and cigarette sector, which includes increasing amounts of black market activity”. Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.