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British American Tobacco has been accused of “total contradiction” for opposing tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

African regulatory opposition

A letter obtained by media sent from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the country’s government ministers demands proposals to prohibit tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be abandoned or delayed.

The corporation is pursuing changes to a pending law that include lowering the recommended coverage of visual health alerts on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

Health advocate reaction

“Were I in government, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” stated 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 several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks.

International corporate influence worries

This occurs during broader worries about corporate intervention with medical guidelines. Recently, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was escalating campaigns to undermine international regulations.

“Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, delayed regulations in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” stated the corporate monitoring director.

Likely impacts

“Should anti-smoking legislation doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the consequences may be suffered in human lives who might otherwise quit smoking.”

The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and requiring that visual health alerts cover 75% of product packaging.

Corporate counter-proposals

Via documentation, BAT suggests this be decreased to 30% or 50% “according to global suggested parameters”, deferred for no less than twelve months after the law is enacted.

International experts in fact recommends a warning should cover at least fifty percent of the cigarette package face “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Within Britain, warnings must cover 65% of a product container sides.

Scented product controversy

The company seeks the elimination of comprehensive limitations on flavoured tobacco products, claiming that it would push consumers toward “black market” products. The company proposes restricting fewer varieties of “flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020.

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

Corporate defense

Through correspondence, the managing director of British American Tobacco Zambia says the firm is “committed to good corporate behaviour” and “supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the related medical consequences” but maintains that “some regulations can have negative and unanticipated results.”

Critic response

The campaigner argued the company's suggested modifications would “dilute these regulations so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”.

The fact that numerous similar measures existed in the UK, where the company maintains its main office, was “utter hypocrisy itself”, he commented.

“We reside in a global village. Should I grow cigarettes in my property and collect the yield and market the products – and my family members avoid tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the future family lines while my neighbour’s children are succumbing … is in itself total emotional collapse.”

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, the campaigner stated. “Laws don't eliminate the industry. They merely safeguard the people.”

Formal company response

The corporate communicator commented: “The company operates its activities following with applicable local laws. Moreover, the company participates in the state's regulatory development in line with the relevant frameworks which enable relevant group engagement in regulation development.”

The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that young individuals should be shielded from obtaining cigarettes and nicotine.

“We support progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while accepting the variety of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the representative explained, adding that BAT’s proposals “reflect the realities of the African nation's economy and cigarette sector, which encompasses increasing amounts of illicit trade”.

Zambia’s department of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.