Tobacco Company BAT has spoken out on the accusations by Kinkiinzi West MP Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
Early this week, the MP, who is also the mover of the anti-tobacco bill said some tobacco companies had threatened to
withdraw financial support to farmers in Kanungu district.
The move, he said was in protest of the proposed
Tobacco Control Bill 2008 that seeks to regulate tobacco manufacture, sponsorship and advertising.
However, in a statement BAT says the suspension from the Kanungu area was purely a business decision, driven by the economics of growing tobacco in that area, as well as
the uncertainties presented by the upcoming legislation on tobacco.
BAT says it also notified all the stakeholders in the tobacco industry.