🔗 Share this article ‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant lobbied against regulations in Africa that are law in UK Critics have charged British American Tobacco with “utter hypocrisy” for lobbying against anti-smoking regulations in Africa which are already enforced in the UK. Zambian lobbying efforts Documents seen by journalists sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers requests proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed. The corporation is pursuing amendments to a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of pictorial cautions on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and diminished punishments for any firms breaking the new laws. Anti-tobacco campaigner response “Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” said Master Chimbala. Thousands of residents a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations. The campaigner stated the letter was believed to have been distributed to multiple official agencies and was in circulation among community advocacy networks. Global industry interference concerns It comes amid wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was increasing attempts to weaken global control measures. “Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on deferred levy rises in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director. Possible outcomes “When public health regulation fails to be approved because of this letter, the cost might be borne in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.” The anti-smoking legislation being considered by Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover three-quarters of product packaging. Business countermeasures Via documentation, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum twelve months after the bill passes. The WHO actually suggests a caution must occupy at least fifty percent of the front of a pack “and attempt to encompass as much of the main visible surfaces as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings must cover nearly two-thirds of a product container sides. Scented product controversy BAT asks for the elimination of comprehensive limitations on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would lead smokers to “illegally traded” products. It suggests banning a limited selection of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020. The draft bill suggests penalties for different infractions “ranging from a fraction of annual sales to a decade in prison”. Business explanation Via documentation, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary states the company is dedicated to ethical business practices” and “supports the objectives of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the associated health impact” but asserts that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.” Campaigner rebuttal Chimbala said the company's suggested modifications would “undermine this law so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”. The fact that many such provisions operated within the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “total double standard”, he said. “We reside in a global village. When I cultivate smoking products in my property and gather the crop and distribute the goods – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my community's youth consumes … to enrich myself and all the subsequent offspring while my community's youth are dying … is in itself complete moral collapse.” Anti-smoking regulations in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Regulations don't close the industry. They merely safeguard the people.” Official corporate statement The corporate communicator stated: “The company operates its operations according with current country statutes. Additionally, the company participates in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the relevant frameworks which allow for relevant group engagement in policymaking.” The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, noting that young individuals should be shielded from access to tobacco and nicotine. “We advocate for 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, noting that BAT’s proposals “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and smoking product business, which encompasses rising levels of illicit trade”. The country's office of economic activities and commercial operations was approached for comment.