Tobacco giant British American Tobacco is accused of "utter hypocrisy" after lobbying against tough tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK. The company's subsidiary in Zambia has written to government ministers asking for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship, as well as weaker graphic health warnings and reduced penalties for non-compliance.
The letter reveals a stark contrast between BAT's stance on tobacco control in Africa and its attitude towards similar measures in the UK, where it is headquartered. Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner, described the letter as "utter hypocrisy" and noted that Zambia already has laws that restrict flavoured tobacco products, a move that was banned in the UK two years ago.
The draft bill going through Zambia's parliament would require graphic health warnings to cover 75% of product packaging, whereas in the UK, they must cover at least 65%. BAT is pushing for these measures to be reduced to 30-50% within a year. Chimbala said that such weakened regulations would undermine efforts to reduce smoking incidence and lead to more lives being lost.
The move has sparked concerns about industry interference with health policies, as tobacco companies are increasingly trying to influence global control measures. Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at health organisation Vital Strategies, warned that "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 many similar provisions existed in the UK was seen as particularly hypocritical by Chimbala, who argued that tobacco control legislation did not shut down the industry but rather protected people. The move has sparked outrage among campaigners and has raised questions about the role of industry lobbyists in shaping public health policy.
The letter reveals a stark contrast between BAT's stance on tobacco control in Africa and its attitude towards similar measures in the UK, where it is headquartered. Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner, described the letter as "utter hypocrisy" and noted that Zambia already has laws that restrict flavoured tobacco products, a move that was banned in the UK two years ago.
The draft bill going through Zambia's parliament would require graphic health warnings to cover 75% of product packaging, whereas in the UK, they must cover at least 65%. BAT is pushing for these measures to be reduced to 30-50% within a year. Chimbala said that such weakened regulations would undermine efforts to reduce smoking incidence and lead to more lives being lost.
The move has sparked concerns about industry interference with health policies, as tobacco companies are increasingly trying to influence global control measures. Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at health organisation Vital Strategies, warned that "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 many similar provisions existed in the UK was seen as particularly hypocritical by Chimbala, who argued that tobacco control legislation did not shut down the industry but rather protected people. The move has sparked outrage among campaigners and has raised questions about the role of industry lobbyists in shaping public health policy.
... I mean, shouldn't tobacco companies be on board with stricter regulations to protect people's health? But at the same time, aren't they trying to do the right thing by lobbying for stronger laws in Zambia? It's all so contradictory! 
If BAT is pushing for weakened graphic warnings because it would 'protect' more lives, wouldn't that actually increase the risk of smoking-related illnesses? And if it's just about industry interference, shouldn't we be watching out for when governments are more interested in lining their pockets than doing what's best for public health?
. On one hand, they're pushing for stronger regulations, but on the other hand, they're lobbying for laws that would 'weaken' them? It's all just a big mess 
BAT is basically saying "hey, we don't wanna change a thing" after they're already getting rich off the back of all the sicko smokers out there... meanwhile, Zambia has some decent laws in place to try and protect people from themselves. 75% graphic health warnings in Zambia? That's like, what, a whole lotta warning? 
Meanwhile BAT wants that number dropped down to 30-50%. Like, are they seriously trying to pull our legs here or something? 
Master Chimbala has gotta be right when he calls out this "utter hypocrisy". These companies just don't care about the people and are only looking out for their own interests. It's all about the benjamins, baby 
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BAT's hypocrisy is just ridiculous - they're all for stricter controls in Africa, but then push for watered down rules here in the UK? It's like they think they can play by different rules depending on where they are. And what really gets my goat is that we already have laws in place to restrict flavoured tobacco products, so Zambia isn't exactly starting from scratch. It's just another example of how these companies try to influence policy for their own gain. 
I'm all for stronger regulations and stricter controls - it's about protecting people, not lining the pockets of corporate profiteers! 
, ya know? They're saying one thing in Zambia and another in UK, it's like they don't care about the people or anything 
. And now Jorge Alday is saying that tobacco companies are influencing global control measures, it's getting out of hand 
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. It's like they're trying to gaslight us into thinking that their own interests are more important than people's health and safety 
. And honestly, it's not like they're being transparent about their motives either - anyone with a brain can see that this is just a case of "do as I say, not as I do" 
. We need to stand up against these corporations and demand better from our governments 
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. This is why I love a strong, independent tobacco control policy in Zambia – they're keeping BAT in check 
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Master Chimbala is totally right, these weakened regulations would just make things worse for public health. We need to keep pushing back against industry interference in our health policies, stat! 
. And it's not like Zambia doesn't have its own laws in place, it's just that BAT wants to water them down so they can keep on profiting off people's addiction. I don't buy it 
. We need stronger regulations, period!
. they're all about lining their pockets with cash, even if it means watering down laws to help people. and its not like zambia was asking for much, 75% graphic warnings is still way better than 30-50%. but nope, bat just has to go and get all dramatic about it 
from smokin 
. industy lobbyists r gettin too much power and its just not fair 
I'm like "seriously BAT?!" you're trying to ban tobacco ad's and sponsorship in Zambia, but still got a major say on reducing graphic warnings in the UK? That's some straight up hypocrisy right there! 
. They need to be held accountable for their hypocrisy 
this is just soooo shady!!! BAT is literally asking for less tough controls on tobacco ads & warnings in Zambia, but they're all about stricter measures in their home country 
. And the fact that they're pushing for reduced graphic warnings in Zambia when we already have them stronger in the UK is just mind-boggling 
. It's all about lining their pockets with profits, not about protecting people from harm 
. They need to be held accountable for their actions 
.