New STOP Briefing Analyses Global Action to End Smoking’s 2025 Tax Return

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STOP, the global tobacco industry watchdog, has published a new briefing analysing the tax return submitted last year by Global Action to End Smoking (GAES), the grant-giving nonprofit foundation founded by Philip Morris International (PMI).

The briefing looks at where the organisation appears to be shrinking and where it may be trying to expand its influence, noting that GAES awarded fewer grants and underwent significant leadership changes in 2025. Nonetheless, it continues to fund work aimed at extending its influence among health professionals and researchers.

STOP highlights that GAES continues to operate mostly by drawing on returns and capital from an investment portfolio built with PMI funding.

The briefing urges researchers and institutions not to engage with GAES, to reject and report offers of funding, and to approach GAES-funded research with strong scepticism. It concludes as follows:

“Researchers, policymakers and civil society should remain wary of GAES and the research it funds.”

Read the full briefing here.

See also the Tobacco Tactics pages:

You can also find previous analyses of FSFW/GAES tax returns on the STOP website.

 

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