🔗 Share this article ‘Complete double standard’: Cigarette corporation lobbied against regulations in Africa which are mandatory in UK 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 A letter obtained by media originating from the corporation's branch in Zambia to the African officials requests measures restricting tobacco marketing and promotional activities to be scrapped or postponed. The company is attempting changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and reduced sanctions for any companies violating the new laws. Health advocate reaction “As an elected official, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and continue the mortality of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala. Over seven thousand citizens a year pass away from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO calculations. The advocate mentioned the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in circulating through community advocacy networks. Global industry interference concerns The situation emerges alongside wider concerns about business sector influence with medical guidelines. Last month, international health experts raised concerns that the cigarette manufacturers was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions. “Evidence exists of industry lobbying everywhere. Manufacturer hallmarks are on postponed duty hikes in Indonesia, halted laws in Zambia and even a diluted statement at the UN high-level meeting,” commented the tobacco industry watchdog. Possible outcomes “Should anti-smoking legislation fails to be approved because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might potentially stop smoking.” The anti-smoking legislation progressing through Zambia’s parliament includes regulations surpassing UK legislation by including provisions for e-cigarettes, and requiring that graphic health warnings cover three-quarters of product packaging. Corporate counter-proposals In the letter, the company recommends this be lowered to less than half “within the WHO-FCTC guideline limits”, postponed for minimum one year after the law is enacted. The WHO specifically advises a warning should cover 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 65% of a cigarette pack surfaces. Flavored tobacco discussion The corporation requests the removal of broad restrictions on scented smoking items, suggesting that it would drive users to “illicitly sold” products. The corporation recommends restricting fewer varieties of “tastes inspired by desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. All flavoured cigarettes have been outlawed across the UK since 2020. The pending regulation proposes sanctions for various offences “varying from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”. Corporate defense In the letter, the corporate leader of the African subsidiary claims the firm is “committed to ethical business practices” and “endorses the aims of governments to decrease cigarette consumption and the connected wellbeing effects” but claims that “certain measures can have undesirable and unforeseen outcomes.” Critic response The advocate stated the company's suggested modifications would “weaken this legislation so much that the required influence for it to produce permanent improvement in society will not be achieved”. The reality that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was “complete contradiction”, he stated. “We exist in a international community. If I plant tobacco in my property and gather the crop and market the products – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbour’s children are dying … is in itself absolute spiritual bankruptcy.” Tobacco control legislation in the Britain or other nations had not resulted in corporate closures, the advocate mentioned. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.” Standard business position The corporate communicator said: “BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Moreover, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which allow for stakeholder participation in policymaking.” The company was “not resisting legislation”, the representative commented, noting that minors should be shielded from acquiring smoking products and nicotine. “We advocate for progressive regulation to realize planned population health targets, while acknowledging the spectrum of privileges and responsibilities on industry, consumers and related stakeholders,” the spokesperson stated, mentioning that the company's suggestions “mirror the circumstances of the African nation's economy and tobacco industry, which includes growing volumes of black market activity”. The country's office of business, commercial affairs and industrial development was solicited for statement.