Tobacco Industry (TI) news

Plain packaging  - see the TI's history of opposition to ending their packet advertising. 
See also  Tobacco litigation   and  The Light/Mild scam   

Big Tobacco: a story of lies, fraud and deceit 
Great comic strip by "Gus" for our partner organisation ACOSH. Tells the story of the tobacco industry in a nutshell - with real quotes from industry leaders. 



STOP PRESS:

Oz link in Big Tobacco's UK dirty tricks to stop plain packs 

May 2013: The UK government is under fire over its links with the tobacco industry after shelving plain packs legislation. The Conservative Party hired Australian Lynton Crosby as Campaign Manager after he headed the tobacco giants' Australian anti-plain packs ad campaign - and questions are being asked about his influence in the UK decision. New Statesman 8/5/13   The Cameron government also includes tobacco-associated Minister Kenneth Clarke. Links also surfaced between two ex-police anti-plain pack campaigners and tobacco company BAT, health leaders accusing the tobacco giant of lacking transparency on the connection. The two ex-policemen had argued without credible evidence that terrorist groups would benefit from increased illicit tobacco they claimed would result. Guardian 28/4/13

During the UK consultation, Japan Tobacco's British company Gallaher Ltd was ordered by the Advertising Standards Authority to drop anti-plain pack ads found "unsubstantiated" and "likely to mislead". The ASA found the ads falsely claimed the "black market in tobacco is booming" and that plain packs would add to it. ASA ruling 17/4/13     Yahoo news 13/3/13  
  

The long litany of misdeeds       (back to 2001 - most recent at top)... 

Liberal Senator linked with tobacco and gun lobby groups

January 2013: Key Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is linked with powerful American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Heartland Institute - lobby groups linked with campaigns against tobacco and gun regulation. Senator Bernardi defends not declaring the links, denying they create a conflict of interest.  AAP/Australian 27/1/13 

Tobacco industry continues to target poorest areas
2012: NSW study in Tobacco Control finds density of tobacco retail outlets linked with social disadvantage and remoteness - after controlling for smoking prevalence. This suggests outlet density may reflect deliberate strategy by tobacco industry.  Full study    Telegraph 18/12/12 

How tobacco industry uses treaties to undermine health

2012: Tobacco companies are turning more to challenging government health policies using international trade treaties, says comprehensive report by online consumer watchdog Fair Warning. The report details TI bullying to stop governments taking strong action to reduce tobacco use. Fair Warning Report 29/11/12

Tobacco industry skirts plain pack law to brink of deadline
2012: Tobacco giant British American Tobacco is forced to remove non-compliant markings from its cigarettes on brink of plain packaging deadline December 1. Three-letter markings indicating cities were criticised by Health Minister Plibersek as a case of "cigarette companies trying to push the boundaries".  ABC News 29/11/12  

Tobacco industry must admit they lied, says US judge

2012: US judge rules tobacco companies must broadcast and publish factual statements about tobacco's harm, and admissions that they deliberately deceived the public and made their products more addictive.  ABC Lateline 28/11/12  The case is U.S. v. Philip Morris (99-cv-2496)

Tobacco giants' 40 year world war on pack health warnings
2012: Anaylysis of industry and public documents shows how the TI worked against the pack health warning since the 1970s by "trying to make it meaningless, polluting the communication channels with disinformation, delaying the process, and using propaganda and lobbying to undermine social support."  Full study 23/10/12   Quit release 24/10/12

Big 3 plain packs response:  reassurance, more descriptors, subliminal ploys, protest
2012: In leadup to plain pack laws starting to take effect from Oct 1, the big three tobacco companies launch new packaging and retailer briefings. BAT has at least 38 descriptors on its brands. All companies reassure unchanged "quality", remind retailers of legal responsibilities to comply. Philip Morris urges continued protest. An Imperial brand makes a shrewd subliminal connection with the plain pack design.  BAT and Imperial flyers sent to retailers, and Philip Morris pack inserts, at ASH  PACKWATCH 

Call to regulate content to stop US tobacco industry hooking youth

2012: The influential New York Times joins call to regulate tobacco content to stop the industry exploiting loopholes to hook American youth. TI documents show them manipulating products to evade laws and target young people. Congressman Henry Waxman and health leaders have called for an end to loopholes allowing flavourings in cigars and pipe tobacco. Waxman release 27/8/12   New York Times editorial 2/9/12

Big tobacco targets Asia-Pacific children

2012: As Australia and other wealthier nations move more strongly against tobacco, the tobacco giants are increasingly targeting poorer nations in the Asia-Pacific - and especially children - in a "looming humanitarian disaster." SMH/Sun-Herald/Age 26/8/12  and see tobacco giants' mealymouthed  response 26/8/12 

Tobacco industry stayed silent on bone harm
2012: Study from Creighton University, US shows how tobacco weakens bones by blocking replacement of bone cells. ASH slams TI for staying silent on decades of research on tobacco bone harm.  ASH Australia release 30/7/12 with abstract link

Powerful tobacco allies fund world campaign to block plain packs
2012: Powerful US corporate alliance with tobacco, climate denial, Tea Party links funds global campaign to derail plan packs. American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) targets UK, whose public consultation closes end-August.  Guardian 15/7/12   More on Plain packaging

Philip Morris targets Indonesian children in "corporate genocide"

2012: Philip Morris implicated in advertising near Indonesian schools; other child- attracting tactics.  ABC (US) 10/7/12   Indonesia the only Asian country yet to sign world FCTC treaty. Study  of industry docs shows companies taking over traditional manufacturers, undermining health policies; feature  outlines billboard campaign by Philip Morris company telling consumers it's "better to die" than not smoke its brand. Billboard  >>"Other Promotions"      

BAT implicated in smuggling, industrial espionage

2012:   British American Tobacco implicated in allegations of industrial espionage and involvement in smuggling in Africa. BAT described as "a serial violator of laws and business ethics".   Premium Times 6/7/12

Indian rollie trade exploits child workers

2012: Worldwide campaign to help young Indian girls, virtual slaves working long hours for paltry pay rolling "beedi" - cheap hand-rolled cigarettes.  BBC news 12/6/12

Tobacco companies use youth events to target Indonesian kids
2012:  Indonesia's National Commission on Child Protection says tobacco companies are using "corporate social responsibility" to target kids. As youth smoking rises, tobacco firms sponsor thousands of music, sport and fashion events to further youth marketing aims.  Jakarta Post 24/5/12

Tobacco giant in sneaky ad for cut-price cigs

2012: British American Tobacco has used exaggerated claims of illicit trade as an thinly-disguised unpaid advertisement for its newest cut-price brand. BATA release 17/5/12 (not online) and  Telegraph/news.com 17/5/12   The Tele was sucked in: Crikey comment 17/5/12   
Latest evidence on tobacco tax and illicit trade  
Worldwide illicit tobacco trade news from International Consortium of Investigative Journalists  

Tobacco companies fund international challenge
2012:  Australia's Big Two tobacco companies, Philip Morris and BAT, admit funding legal costs of two countries, Ukraine and Honduras, threatening international law challenge in the World Trade Organization to Australia's plain packaging bills.  Financial Times 29/4/12

Philip Morris exec fined for breaking Pakistani advertising law

2012: Civil magistrate in Pakistan finds head of marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan Ltd guilty of breaking a Pakistani law restricting cigarette advertising - criticising the exec’s claim that he didn't realise magazines were part of "the press". Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids 11/4/12

Tobacco companies sued over pesticide use and birth defects
2012: In US, Philip Morris and subsidiary sued by farmers and growers in Argentina over pesticides linked with major birth defects. It's claimed the companies "wrongfully participated in the promotion, manufacture, design, sale, distribution and use of... reproductively toxic... chemical products ... in the cultivation of tobacco and other crops".  Courthouse News 10/4/12

Tobacco industry still targeting children - and how to fight it: US Surgeon-General
2012: Latest report from the US Surgeon-General finds tobacco industry promotion is still hooking children into smoking; and comprehensive strategies including tax, public education and smokefree policies are helping reduce youth smoking and uptake.  Report

Tobacco industry's 60-year history of undermining science

2012: Paper in American Journal of Public Health  shows how, over many years and with great care, tobacco industry PR experts distorted and undermined science and shaped in their interests how scientists, policymakers, media and public define "proof".  Full paper 

Philip Morris hid harm from additives: study
2011: Philip Morris misled smokers about harm from additives in its products, says University of California study. It re-analyses results of Philip Morris study "Project Mix" which concluded in 2002 "no evidence of substantial toxicity" - but finds from same data the additives led to average 20% rise in 15 carcinogens. Independent (UK) 21/12/11    Full study   ASH release 22/12/11  

PNG minister tells tobacco industry to butt out
2011: PNG Health Minister attacks British American Tobacco interference in health. PNG is amending laws under FCTC treaty - to raise tobacco tax, ban "kiddie pack" and loose cig sales, make public venues smokefree. BAT proposes hosting intergovernmental "Tobacco Working Committee" as "consultative, advisory and reviewing authority" on tobacco-related matters. In statement 11/11/11, Health Minister Jaime Maxtone-Graham says the meeting “should not take place, ... be convened by [BAT] [or] attended by anyone concerned about improving public health.... BAT has no interest in the health of our citizens... This meeting is a ruse to manipulate and reinvent their image.” PNG Health Minister; Globalink

WHO chief slams industry Dirty Tricks against plain packs
2011: WHO Director-General Margaret Chan slams tobacco industry "dirty tricks", unethical tactics against health policies worldwide, including Australia's plain packs. Urges countries to "stand firm together, do not bow to pressure... we must never allow the tobacco industry to get the upper hand".  AFP 11/10/11  

Tobacco poisoning thousands of child workers

2011: Thousands of child tobacco workers being "poisoned" - Malawi just one example of the industry "turning a blind eye to human rights abuses by its suppliers in the quest for greater profit."  One World South Asia report 15/9/11

Big tobacco knew of radioactive content but hid it, didn't remove it
2011:  Tobacco giants knew back in 1959 their products contained carcinogenic Polonium 210 - but hid it, says review of industry docs. The industry knew from 1980 of a process to remove the radioactivity - but chose not to use it.  ABC news 29/9/11  and earlier 2007 study 

BATA exploits refugee controversy to question plain pack legality
2011: BAT Australia places full-page ads in newspapers exploiting legal dispute over refugee policy to cast doubt on legality of plain tobacco packaging bills. The ad asks "Is the government's legal advice on shaky ground?"   BATA ad in Sydney Telegraph 7/9/11, p. 22

Philip Morris tries to get hold of confidential child interviews
2011: Philip Morris tries to use Freedom of Information to gain access to confidential university interviews with children about smoking. The move coincides with an anonymous hate campaign against university tobacco researchers. Independent, UK 1/9/11  Philip Morris later appeared to have dropped its FOI claim: Independent 26/11/11  

Philip Morris: a friend to die for
2011: Chilling billboard ad in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia promoting Philip Morris-owned Sampoerna brand says "Dying is better than leaving a friend" and "Sampoerna: a cool friend".  Photo 18/8/11    "Grotesque" ad condemned:  Asian Correspondent 27/8/11

Tobacco giants sue US to block graphic warnings
2011: Four US tobacco companies sue US Food and Drug Administration to block new graphic packet health warnings. Described by FDA as "frank and honest", the warnings are panned as "manipulative" and "emotional" by tobacco companies.   AP/CBS 16/8/11 

Big Tobacco misleads retailers; offers Fiji hols for pushing
2011: Some retailers are concerned at misleading flyers distributed to them by Imperial Tobacco urging them to protest about plain packs to current House of Representatives inquiry. Meanwhile BAT Australia criticised by ASH for offering Fiji holidays to retailers pushing tobacco.  Imperial flyers   BAT retailer Fiji promotion  and  Telegraph report 24/7/11 

Tobacco least reputable industry: world/Australian survey

2011: Second year running, tobacco scores lowest in worldwide survey of reputation.  85,000 respondents (including > 5600 Australians) in independent Global Reputation Pulse survey rated tobacco easily lowest of 25 major industry groups.  ACOSH media release 15/6/11 

Tobacco giants thriving on exploitation of young, poor, uneducated

2011: Big tobacco thriving by ruthlessly exploiting young, poor, uneducated in poorest countries, says UK Independent report. Tobacco profits rising at expense of lives, health. Continuing litany of price fixing, corruption, legal muscle, targeting children. Independent 29/5/11 

BAT price threat targets children, poor; $500m pa "ripoff" of smokers 
2011: British American Tobacco warns of a price-cutting war to counter plain packaging - criticised by ASH and allies as a further threat to target children and harm disadvantaged smokers. BAT release 17/5/11 and  ASH response 17/5/11   Also  Prof Simon Chapman comment 17/5/11   Industry threat reveals $500m pa ripoff in company "gouging":  Australia Inst release 18/5/11

Philip Morris' "decades of neglect" of potent carcinogens
2011: Philip Morris and another US tobacco company had the technology to reduce or control a group of potent carcinogens in their tobacco - but over a decade after promising to, research analysis of their top brands showed there'd been "no meaningful attempt". Full study

Philip Morris meeting glosses over record of "bullying, subversion"

2011: Philip Morris International at its annual shareholder's meeting on May 11,  celebrated another year of record profits - while another five million plus died from tobacco. 
UK Daily Mail report with damning quotes and photo     Same day, Corporate Accountability International report shows PMI lining its coffers at the expense of lives and health. Exposes "dark truth behind how PMI earns billions of dollars from coercion, political manipulation... legal bullying... subversion of public health laws." CAI alternative report on PMI, May 2011

Menthol used to deceive and addict young smokers
2011: Study of industry documents shows tobacco companies have deliberately used menthol "to attract inexperienced smokers who... perceive them to be less harmful..." Included Philip Morris, BAT, Imperial and more. See  abstract  with link to full study

Philip Morris website manipulates smokers
2011: After decades of misleading smokers, hiding harm and boosting addictiveness, Philip Morris opens site to stir smoker opposition to health policies that will save lives and help them quit - smokefree places, tax rises, ending displays, plain packs.  ideservetobeheard 

Secret tobacco industry docs show two decades of health interference

2011: Australian documents among new release of more than 60,000 formerly secret tobacco industry docs show the industry aggressively blocking health reforms for two decades. They also hid research on how their product wrecked babies' DNA.  ASH release 11/3/11  with doc links

BAT pushing cool addictive cancer to teens
2011: BAT pushes menthol to youth in Switzerland in print ad with large youth readership. Midway through cigarette, smoker can break capsule of menthol in filter - delivers strong flavour. Children, especially girls, reported to love it.  Kent Ad 20min 21/2/11 Full page   Kent Ad 20min 21/211 Ad only    Menthol no mere flavour - more addictive, carcinogenic - ASH Australia release 2/6/10

Tobacco industry exaggerates illicit trade

2011: Deloitte report  commissioned by Big 3 tobacco companies claims “taxpayers losing $1bn” in illicit tobacco - “up 25%” since 2010 tax rise and is now (they claim) almost 16% of total tobacco sales. The report rejected as "self-serving smoke" by researchers.  Comment from Prof Simon Chapman.  TI tactics exposed: Croakey blog says  tobacco industry is bad for public health

Tobacco companies stall reforms at $360,000 taxpayer cost
2011:  Tobacco giants Philip Morris and British American Tobacco seek thousands of  files on proposed health reforms in "beyond excessive" FOI claims costing taxpayers $360,000+ - would have cost $1.5m but cut by department-funded negotiations. Greens release 24/2/11

Big Tobacco rehashes plain pack attack

2011: Tobacco industry revives its "won't work" mantra in media ads against plain packs, fronted by Alliance of Australian Retailers. ASH says the "big three" tobacco companies are peddling the same old poison in an expensive box - just like it does with its products.  ASH Australia release 22/2/11   with link to the tobacco-funded ads

Industry flogs "increased smuggling" myth in UK
2011: The tobacco industry is continuing to assert that tax increases will boost illicit tobacco trade, despite the lack of evidence of this, writes Deborah Arnott of ASH UK in the Guardian.  Guardian article 24/2/11     Note: ASH Australia is not affiliated with ASH UK or any other "ASH"   

Cheap cigs target poorest areas
2011: Cut-price cigarettes are more available in lower-income areas, undermining efforts to cut smoking, says a Cancer Council Victoria study of milk bars near randomly selected secondary schools. More than twice as many retailers in the poorest areas sold discounted cigarettes as those in wealthiest areas.  See  full study pdf  and  Melbourne Age report 9/2/11

Philip Morris pays out $5m in chewing tobacco death suit

2010: Philip Morris broke longtime policy of never settling personal injury case, with US$5m payout on wrongful death suit against its subsidiary US Smokeless Tobacco. USST was sued over 42-year-old man's death from oral cancer caused by company's chewing tobacco. Case unearthed alarming  company correspondence with child users. PR Watch report 14/12/10  

BAT's spooky black market melodrama
2010: British American Tobacco UK site posts 6-minute glossy video of spooky and fanciful story linking tobacco-health policies (plain packaging, retail display bans, tax rises) with organised East European criminals, greedy politicians, violence and terrorism. BAT video  - and  response  from Prof Simon Chapman

Sex, Lies and Cigarettes  
2010 documentary (42 mins) produced by Current TV (US)  - explores, exposes aggressive marketing tactics of multinational cigarette companies to attract new generation of smokers, especially among children and low-income people, and in low-middle income countries.

How big tobacco teamed up with climate change deniers to cloud scientific air
2010: Book Merchants of Doubt documents how a small group of scientists with tobacco industry links campaigned to undermine scientific consensus on tobacco health impacts, acid rain, climate change, more.  Bloomsbury Press reviews  and excerpts from Guardian (UK) article 2006

Tobacco "least reputable" industry: world survey

2010: Tobacco industry rated least reputable among the world's 25 major industry categories in the independent Global Reputation Pulse worldwide survey of over 80,000 consumer interviews in 32 countries.  See  Sydney University/ACOSH media release with results 16/6/10

Tobacco industry may use gene research to avoid responsibility
2010: Tobacco industry funding of genetic research into addiction may be used by the industry to avoid responsibility for addiction, says a study of industry documents.  See  study

 Page last updated 29/4/13