The Brazilian Institute for Ethics and Competition (ETCO)

ETCO is a business lobby group co-founded by tobacco, alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceutical, technology and fuel companies in 2003, the same year Brazil signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. BAT’s subsidiary Souza Cruz is represented on its board and provides an undisclosed amount of financial support. ETCO’s stated purpose is to combat tax evasion, smuggling and counterfeit goods. It has lobbied heavily against Brazil’s high cigarette taxes.