🔗 Share this article ‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant lobbied against rules in Africa which are law in UK British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for campaigning against anti-smoking regulations in Africa that currently exist in the UK. Campaign in Zambia Correspondence acquired by reporters dispatched by the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials demands plans to ban tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be canceled or deferred. The tobacco firm seeks amendments to a draft bill that include decreasing the recommended coverage of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, and diminished punishments for any companies violating the new laws. Anti-tobacco campaigner response “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. Over seven thousand citizens a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to global health agency statistics. The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among public interest organizations. International corporate influence worries This occurs during broader worries about industry interference with health policies. In recent weeks, global health authorities sounded an alarm that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to undermine international regulations. “Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Tobacco company fingerprints are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” commented the corporate monitoring director. Possible outcomes “Should anti-smoking legislation isn’t passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.” The tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that pictorial cautions cover seventy-five percent of product packaging. Business countermeasures Through correspondence, the company recommends this be decreased to less than half “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes. International experts in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the primary showing sections as possible”. In the UK, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides. Flavored tobacco discussion The company seeks the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The corporation recommends prohibiting a smaller list 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 draft bill recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”. Business explanation Via documentation, the company executive of British American Tobacco Zambia states the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “specific rules can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.” Activist reaction Chimbala said the corporation's recommended amendments would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”. The circumstance that multiple comparable regulations were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he commented. “We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my garden and harvest that and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to benefit personally and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are perishing … is in itself total emotional collapse.” Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.” Standard business position The corporate communicator commented: “The company operates its business in compliance with relevant national regulations. Further, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.” The company was “not opposed to regulation”, they said, adding that minors should be safeguarded against acquiring smoking products and nicotine. “We advocate for developing rules to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while accepting the variety of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of illegal commerce”. The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was contacted for response.