🔗 Share this article ‘Total contradiction’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are law in UK Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK. Zambian lobbying efforts Correspondence acquired by reporters sent from the company’s subsidiary in Zambia to the African officials asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed. The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include reductions in the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws. Anti-tobacco campaigner response “If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala. Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to WHO calculations. Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulating through civil society groups. Global industry interference concerns The situation emerges alongside broader worries about corporate intervention with health policies. Recently, global health authorities issued a warning that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations. “There is proof of corporate influence worldwide. Corporate signatures are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director. Potential consequences “When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in individuals' health who might possibly give up cigarettes.” The anti-smoking legislation going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and stipulating that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging. Business countermeasures In the letter, BAT suggests this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “following international guideline limits”, delayed for at least one year after the legislation is approved. The WHO specifically advises a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the principal display areas as possible”. In the UK, warnings need to encompass 65% of a product container sides. Flavored tobacco discussion BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “black market” products. It suggests restricting fewer varieties of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020. The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “extending from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years’ imprisonment”. Corporate defense In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary says the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “specific rules can have negative and unanticipated results.” Activist reaction The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the necessary effect for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”. The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated. “We exist in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself complete moral bankruptcy.” Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.” Standard business position The corporate communicator commented: “The corporation runs its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, 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 resisting legislation”, they said, mentioning that minors should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine. “We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on corporations, customers and associated groups,” they said, mentioning that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes increasing amounts of illegal commerce”. Zambia’s department of economic activities and commercial operations was solicited for statement.