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British American Tobacco has been accused of “complete double standards” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa which are already enforced in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the nation's political leaders asks for proposals to prohibit tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the suggested dimensions of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the elimination of limitations on flavored smoking items, 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 enable the defense of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated the anti-tobacco campaigner.

Over seven thousand citizens a year die from cigarette-linked health conditions, according to global health agency statistics.

The advocate mentioned the letter was understood to have been copied to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among civil society groups.

International corporate influence worries

It comes amid broader worries about business sector influence with public health regulations. Last month, international health experts issued a warning that the cigarette manufacturers was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures.

“Evidence exists of industry lobbying globally. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” commented Jorge Alday.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in human lives who might potentially stop smoking.”

The tobacco control bill progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes measures that exceed UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and mandating that pictorial cautions cover 75% of product packaging.

Business countermeasures

Through correspondence, the company recommends this be lowered to thirty to fifty percent “according to global guideline limits”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the bill passes.

Global health authorities in fact recommends a alert needs to encompass at least fifty percent of the product container front “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings are required to occupy 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces.

Flavored tobacco discussion

The company seeks the withdrawal of extensive controls on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been prohibited in Britain since 2020.

The pending regulation suggests penalties for various offences “extending from a fraction of annual sales to 10 years’ imprisonment”.

Business explanation

In the letter, the managing director of the Zambian branch states the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but maintains that “some regulations can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued 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 reality that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “total double standard”, he stated.

“We reside in a connected world. When I cultivate smoking products in my back yard and harvest that and market the products – and my offspring don't use tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to profit individually and all the subsequent offspring while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.”

Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. It only protects the people.”

Standard business position

The corporate communicator said: “The company operates its business in compliance with current country statutes. Moreover, the company participates in the country’s legislative process in line with the suitable systems which enable interested party involvement in policymaking.”

The corporation remained “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that young individuals should be safeguarded against obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We champion evolving legislation to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of privileges and responsibilities on businesses, users and involved parties,” they said, mentioning that the company's suggestions “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which encompasses growing volumes of illicit trade”.

The nation's ministry of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.