ASH Australia media release                                              April 21, 2004 

Tobacco giant BATtered by damning report

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Tobacco giant British American Tobacco (BAT) has been slammed for its record of death, damage and exploitation in an international report - on the eve of BAT’s world AGM today.

ASH Australia claims BAT’s operation in this country continues to mislead the public, smokers and governments by:

• denying and delaying basic consumer rights to safe products and truthful information about the 50 diseases caused by their addictive products; and
• blocking and frustrating moves by health authorities to reduce tobacco harm and costs estimated at over $21 billion a year.

The global report was released today by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) UK, with development charity Christian Aid, and environmental group Friends of the Earth – backed by non-government groups in seven countries where the company’s activities were analysed.

The report, “BAT’s Big Wheeze”, examines the company’s record of destruction in Britain, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia and Uganda. The report criticises BAT’s “appalling” health, environment and development record, accusing it of:

• making tobacco products which cause 750,000 premature deaths a year worldwide (15% of total);
• damaging the health of rural communities in Brazil and Kenya through encouraging use of dangerous pesticides, often with little protection;
• exploiting tobacco growers by high charges for loaned materials and low pay for output;
• flooding Pakistan and Russia with advertising and sponsorship designed to addict a new generation of young people to cigarettes;   and
• encouraging forest destruction in Uganda, through over use of dry wood in tobacco curing.

Says Anne Jones, CEO of ASH Australia: “Despite claims of ‘corporate social responsibility’, BAT continues to deny the full extent of the harm caused by its products and is actively opposing a landmark treaty to curb the tobacco epidemic both in Australia and world-wide.

“Recently BAT has backed a retailer campaign opposing more accurate health warnings on all tobacco products; and funds the major hospitality industry group opposing smokefree workplace laws.

Health and medical groups in a major submission to the Federal Government are calling for greater accountability by tobacco companies; a renewed focus on tobacco prevention; and ratification of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control as soon as possible. 

A full copy of the report at  www.ash.org.uk/html/conduct/pdfs/batbigwheeze.pdf

Comment:       Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia            ph. (02) 9334-1876  or  m. 0417-227-879

Media inquiries:            Stafford Sanders            ph. (02) 9334-1823     

Page last updated on 21/4/04