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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that currently exist in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders requests proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be canceled or deferred.

The company is attempting changes to a proposed legislation that include decreasing the suggested dimensions of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on flavored smoking items, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“As an elected official, I would say that they enable the defense of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people,” stated Master Chimbala.

Thousands of residents a year pass away from smoking-associated diseases, according to World Health Organization estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was believed to have been distributed to various ministerial offices and was in circulating through public interest organizations.

Global industry interference concerns

The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Last month, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to dilute worldwide restrictions.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence globally. Corporate signatures are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN high-level meeting,” 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 tobacco control bill going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that visual health alerts cover seventy-five percent of product packaging.

Company alternative suggestions

In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “within the WHO-FCTC recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than one year after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the product container front “and seek to occupy as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Within Britain, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on flavored cigarette varieties, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illegally traded” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Every scented tobacco product have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The proposed legislation suggests penalties for different infractions “extending from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”.

Corporate defense

Via documentation, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia claims the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the connected wellbeing effects” but maintains that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Activist reaction

Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”.

The circumstance that numerous similar measures operated within the UK, where the corporation is based, was “total double standard”, he said.

“We exist in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbor's family uses … to enrich myself and all the future family lines while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral failure.”

Public health laws in the UK or elsewhere had failed to shutter businesses, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.”

Official corporate statement

The company representative commented: “The corporation runs its operations according with current country statutes. Further, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The company was “not against rules”, the spokesperson stated, adding that minors should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion progressive regulation to accomplish desired population health targets, while recognizing the range of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that the corporation's recommendations “reflect the realities of the Zambian market and cigarette sector, which involves growing volumes of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of trade, commerce and industry was solicited for statement.