"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, said Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner. More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups."
"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. If a tobacco control measure isn't passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking."
British American Tobacco's Zambian subsidiary lobbied government ministers to abandon or delay a proposed ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. The company sought reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on packaging, removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for firms breaking new laws. The draft Zambian bill would extend measures to e-cigarettes and mandate 75% graphic warnings. More than 7,000 Zambians die annually from tobacco-related illnesses, according to WHO estimates. Global watchdogs report intensifying industry efforts to weaken tobacco-control measures, with campaigners warning that weakened laws could cost lives.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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