Tobacco Firm Embroiled in Hypocrisy Over Anti-Tobacco Laws in Africa
The tobacco industry is facing intense scrutiny over its lobbying efforts to water down anti-tobacco laws in Zambia, a country with some of the strictest regulations on cigarette advertising and flavoured products. The move has sparked accusations of utter hypocrisy from critics, who point out that similar measures are already in place in the UK.
According to documents seen by the Guardian, British American Tobacco (BAT) has been urging the Zambian government to delay or scrap plans to introduce stronger tobacco control measures, including a ban on flavoured products and reduced graphic health warnings. The company's proposals would push consumers towards "illegally traded" products, which are often cheaper but more toxic.
Critics say the move is a classic example of industry interference with public health policies. Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at Health Organisation Vital Strategies, said: "We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting on NCDs."
The fact that BAT is pushing for weaker regulations in Zambia while enjoying more stringent rules in its own backyard has been labelled as hypocritical by Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner. "If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people," he said.
Zambia already has some of the toughest tobacco control laws in Africa, including a ban on flavoured cigarettes since 2018 and graphic health warnings covering over 50% of product packaging. The proposed changes would weaken these measures, allowing companies to push consumers towards cheaper but more toxic products.
The move has been condemned by anti-tobacco activists, who say that tobacco control legislation is not intended to shut down the industry, but to protect public health. "Legislation never shuts down the industry," said Chimbala. "It only protects the people."
BAT Zambia spokesperson claimed that the company was "not opposed to regulation" and advocated for progressive regulation to achieve public health goals. However, critics say that this is a clear case of corporate hypocrisy.
As the tobacco industry continues to lobby for weaker regulations in Zambia, concerns are growing about the impact on public health. With over 7,000 Zambians dying each year from tobacco-related illnesses, the stakes could not be higher.
The tobacco industry is facing intense scrutiny over its lobbying efforts to water down anti-tobacco laws in Zambia, a country with some of the strictest regulations on cigarette advertising and flavoured products. The move has sparked accusations of utter hypocrisy from critics, who point out that similar measures are already in place in the UK.
According to documents seen by the Guardian, British American Tobacco (BAT) has been urging the Zambian government to delay or scrap plans to introduce stronger tobacco control measures, including a ban on flavoured products and reduced graphic health warnings. The company's proposals would push consumers towards "illegally traded" products, which are often cheaper but more toxic.
Critics say the move is a classic example of industry interference with public health policies. Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at Health Organisation Vital Strategies, said: "We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting on NCDs."
The fact that BAT is pushing for weaker regulations in Zambia while enjoying more stringent rules in its own backyard has been labelled as hypocritical by Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner. "If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people," he said.
Zambia already has some of the toughest tobacco control laws in Africa, including a ban on flavoured cigarettes since 2018 and graphic health warnings covering over 50% of product packaging. The proposed changes would weaken these measures, allowing companies to push consumers towards cheaper but more toxic products.
The move has been condemned by anti-tobacco activists, who say that tobacco control legislation is not intended to shut down the industry, but to protect public health. "Legislation never shuts down the industry," said Chimbala. "It only protects the people."
BAT Zambia spokesperson claimed that the company was "not opposed to regulation" and advocated for progressive regulation to achieve public health goals. However, critics say that this is a clear case of corporate hypocrisy.
As the tobacco industry continues to lobby for weaker regulations in Zambia, concerns are growing about the impact on public health. With over 7,000 Zambians dying each year from tobacco-related illnesses, the stakes could not be higher.
! BAT is basically saying they want more relaxed rules in Zambia so people can buy cheaper but super toxic cigarettes. Like, isn't that just corporate greed? 
They're all like "we just want to regulate" but we know it's a total cop-out 
. I mean, what's next? Them trying to water down regulations in other countries too? It's just not fair to the people who are already suffering from tobacco-related illnesses. We need stronger laws to protect public health, not corporate loopholes 
u know wat's wild is that these big tobacco companies r tryna profit off ppl lives in africa but dey got no probs wiv strict laws in their own country?? like, dey want to sell cheaper toxic products here but dey don't wanna pay taxes on it or get their own packaging checked? dat's just straight up hypocrisy! 
. BAT is literally saying "hey, we don't want stronger regulations in Zambia, but hey, we've got super strict rules in the UK"... talk about the pot calling the kettle black 
. Like, what's the real deal here? Are they really that concerned about public health or just trying to protect their bottom line 
? This whole thing reeks of corporate greed and a blatant disregard for the well-being of Zambian citizens 
. And let's not forget the fact that they're pushing for "illegally traded" products... what even is that supposed to mean? Just another way for them to exploit people and make a quick buck 
This is just so messed up. I mean, come on BAT is all like "we're for regulation" but then they're secretly trying to water down laws in Zambia to sell more cheap toxic cigarettes. 
It's just so frustrating when corporations like BAT think they can get away with this kind of thing. 
like seriously, they're pushing for weaker regulations in zambia while they've got it good back in the uk... it's just hypocritical, fam 
they're basically saying "we want to protect our bottom line" vs "protecting public health" like it's that hard to figure out 
This is so weird. Like they're trying to pass off their own lax rules as a good thing for everyone else. I mean, we all know how that works out in real life 
. Zambia's got some of the toughest laws already and it's just bizarre that BAT would push to weaken those even further. The hypocrisy is pretty clear - they're only looking out for their own profits not public health at all 
. And to top that off, it is pretty hypocritical when they're enjoying stronger regulations in the UK 
. It's time for BAT Zambia to come clean about their true intentions - are they really just looking out for public health or do they have a hidden agenda? 
if they're gonna push for weaker laws in zambia while having it good in the uk...like what's next? asking for lower taxes on cigarettes so they can sell them cheaper and make more profits 
these companies are all about making a buck and don't care who gets hurt in the process 
, so it's not like BAT is really looking out for our best interests here...
not just looking out for the interests of big corporations 
. and then there's this whole debate about tobacco control laws in africa... meanwhile, have you tried those new plant-based milks that everyone's been raving about? they're so good! 
