🔗 Share this article ‘Complete double standard’: Tobacco giant opposed regulations in Africa which are law in UK The tobacco company stands accused of “complete double standards” for opposing anti-smoking regulations in Africa that are already in place in the UK. African regulatory opposition Documents seen by journalists originating from the firm's affiliate in Zambia to the country’s government ministers asks for measures restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be scrapped or postponed. The corporation is pursuing modifications of a pending law that include decreasing the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the withdrawal of controls on scented cigarette varieties, and watered-down penalties for any companies violating the new laws. Activist commentary “If I was a politician, I would say that they allow the safeguarding of the British people and sustain the fatalities of the Zambian people,” commented Master Chimbala. More than 7,000 Zambians a year succumb to cigarette-linked health conditions, according to World Health Organization estimates. The campaigner stated the letter was known to have been circulated to several government departments and was in distribution within civil society groups. International corporate influence worries It comes amid wider concerns about corporate intervention with health policies. Last month, WHO officials sounded an alarm that the smoking product companies was escalating campaigns to dilute worldwide restrictions. “Evidence exists of corporate influence worldwide. Manufacturer hallmarks are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a compromised resolution at the UN summit conference,” stated the corporate monitoring director. Likely impacts “If a tobacco control measure doesn't get enacted because of this letter, the cost might be borne in lives of people who might possibly give up cigarettes.” The public health measure going through Zambia’s parliament includes proposals to go further UK legislation by extending coverage to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover seventy-five percent of product packaging. Company alternative suggestions Via documentation, the corporation proposes this be lowered to less than half “according to global recommended threshold”, deferred for no less than 12 months after the law is enacted. Global health authorities in fact recommends a caution must occupy at least half of the front of a pack “and seek to occupy as much of the principal display areas as possible”. Across the United Kingdom, warnings need to encompass 65% of a packet’s front and back. Flavored tobacco discussion BAT asks for the withdrawal of extensive controls on scented smoking items, claiming that it would lead smokers to “illicitly sold” products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of “scents derived from desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks”. Each flavored smoking item have been outlawed across the UK since 2020. The pending regulation recommends punishments for multiple violations “ranging from a portion of yearly revenue to ten-year jail sentences”. Business explanation Via documentation, the company executive of the Zambian branch claims the corporation is focused on responsible corporate conduct” and “supports the objectives of governments to lower tobacco use and the associated health impact” but claims that “certain measures can have negative and unanticipated results.” Campaigner rebuttal Chimbala said BAT’s proposed changes would “dilute these regulations so much that the necessary effect for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved”. The fact that numerous similar measures were present in the UK, where the corporation is based, was “complete contradiction”, he commented. “We exist in a international community. When I cultivate smoking products in my garden and collect the yield and sell it out – and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbour’s children do … to profit individually and all the generations of my children while my neighbor's family are succumbing … is in itself complete moral collapse.” Public health laws in the United Kingdom or other countries had not resulted in corporate closures, Chimbala said. “Legislation never shuts down the industry. Measures simply defend the people.” Formal company response The corporate communicator commented: “BAT Zambia conducts its operations according with applicable local laws. Further, the corporation engages in the nation's lawmaking procedures in line with the appropriate structures which provide for interested party involvement in regulation development.” The firm positioned itself as “not resisting legislation”, the spokesperson stated, mentioning that underage people should be safeguarded against access to tobacco and nicotine. “We support progressive regulation to achieve intended community wellbeing objectives, while recognizing the range of entitlements and duties on businesses, users and involved parties,” the spokesperson stated, noting that BAT’s proposals “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.