During the pandemic, policies protecting public health should have been safe-guarded and strengthened. Instead, the tobacco industry persuaded many governments to weaken or delay such policies. Despite known links between tobacco use and worse COVID-19 health outcomes, the industry lobbied to keep its deadly products easily accessible and even labeled as “essential” throughout lockdowns and smoking bans.
Big Tobacco’s so-called corporate social responsibility continued at a disturbing rate, often related to the pandemic. Donations and other contributions, however, seemed to leave some governments indebted to the industry. In several cases, changes in policy that favored the industry followed, such as delayed or reduced tax measures. Some governments made vulnerable by the pandemic disregarded bans on tobacco industry CSR and accepted—and even promoted—industry donations and activities.
In the face of declining smoking rates in many parts of the world, tobacco companies put forth considerable effort trying to persuade governments to approve e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Where these products were already on the market, tobacco companies angled for favorable treatment of novel products over combustibles, including lower taxes.
Select an indicator:
When the tobacco industry interferes with government efforts to develop tobacco control policies.
The tobacco industry spends millions of dollars on so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities each year.
The tobacco industry enjoys many types of benefits. Direct benefits include privileges, incentives, tax exemptions or endorsements to encourage their business.
Unnecessary interactions occur when top level government officials attend social functions hosted by tobacco companies or when the government accepts offers of assistance or enters into partnerships with the tobacco industry.
Lack of transparency in government interactions makes many vulnerable to influence from the tobacco industry
Senior government officials working for the industry present a conflict of interest.
Governments can proactively take several preventive measures to protect their officials from being exposed to interference.
Don’t see your country?
Check back next year to see if your country was evaluated by our civil society collaborators.
