Tobacco Industry Responses to Public Consultations in the UK

Background In the United Kingdom, consultations are regulatory processes by which the government seeks input on its work, such as when developing a new policy or considering a change to existing policies, processes or practices. Consultations are formal, public, written exercises that can be launched by any government department or body.1 Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization…

The Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ATHRA) describes itself as a “registered health promotion charity established to improve public health by reducing the harm from tobacco smoking in Australia”.43 Background ATHRA was founded by four Australian health practitioners in October 2017.43 It  has regularly campaigned and lobbied to try to overturn the Australian Government’s ban on retail…

The Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) is an annual tobacco industry conference. GTNF 2024 was a hybrid event that took place virtually, and in Athens for in-person delegates, from 24-26 September 2024.101 The following speakers, panellists and moderators were listed on the GTNF 2024 website:102103 Amrou Awaysheh – Indiana University Brad Rodu– University of Louisville School…

The following bulleted recommendations, all of which come from the implementation guidelines for Article 11 of the WHO FCTC, cover some of the main aspects to consider:107 Location The placement of the health warning should be chosen to ensure maximum visibility, such as at the top of the main display areas (usually the front and back panels). Normal opening…

According to the World Health Organization, “Health warnings on tobacco packaging, especially those that combine text and pictures, are one of the most cost-effective and powerful ways to increase public awareness of the serious health risks of tobacco use and reduce consumption.”108 The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) therefore requires all its Parties to implement…

Global Action to End Smoking (GAES) is a grant-giving nonprofit foundation, based in the United States, which was fully funded by Philip Morris International (PMI) under a multi-year pledge (2018-2023).137 GAES continues to operate on the remaining PMI funds and the returns on investments made with those funds.137138139 Background GAES describes itself as “accelerating comprehensive,…

The UK Tobacco Industry Interference Index (UKTI) forms part of the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index (GTI). Based on a survey methodology developed by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), and published by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), the GTI is a global survey on how governments respond to tobacco industry interference and…

In May 2023, leaked documents published by the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Truth Tobacco Documents library showed that Philip Morris Japan (PMJ), a subsidiary of Philip Morris International (PMI), had covertly funded a study by Kyoto University academics.167 PMJ also contracted a life sciences consultancy to promote PMI’s science, products and messaging.168 The Tobacco…

The National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT) was founded in 2008 and describes itself as “a Canadian advocacy group formed with the participation of businesses, law and order organizations and individuals concerned about the growing danger of contraband cigarettes.”187 Its stated mission is to “to educate people and urge government to take quick action to stop this growing threat.”…

PMI uses the law to challenge tobacco control regulations. Figure 1 (below) gives an overview of some of these challenges.  Figure 1. Legal challenges made by PMI in the decade from 2008 to 2019.214 PMI has legally challenged tobacco control regulations across the…