EU Tobacco Lobbying Under Scrutiny as Transparency Gaps Exposed

Weak transparency regulations within the European Union have allowed tobacco companies to significantly influence policymaking in Brussels, according to a recent investigation. The report, released on March 13, 2024, by the global tobacco industry watchdog Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP) and the French anti-tobacco group Contre-Feu, highlights how the European Commission has not upheld necessary transparency standards during extensive lobbying efforts by the tobacco sector.

The investigation reveals that undisclosed meetings between European institutions and tobacco industry representatives likely violate the EU’s own transparency rules. Evidence indicates that the tobacco industry has actively sought to sway a variety of EU policies, including health legislation and trade agreements. Although such lobbying activities are meant to be closely monitored, the report suggests that enforcement of transparency measures is often inadequate.

Documents obtained by Contre-Feu show that while the European Commission officially declared five meetings with tobacco representatives between 2023 and 2025, officials from the Directorate-General for Trade engaged with industry actors at least three times in 2023 and five times in 2024. None of these meetings were recorded in the EU Transparency Register or disclosed on the Commission’s website.

Under current regulations, senior EU officials are required to log all meetings with interest group representatives, including details such as date, participants, and discussion summaries. However, this requirement does not extend to all staff or types of meetings. Transparency advocates warn that these loopholes are frequently exploited, revealing significant gaps in the Commission’s transparency framework.

The latest findings follow a 2021-2023 inquiry by the European Ombudsman, which criticized the Commission for its lack of transparency in dealings with tobacco interest representatives. The Ombudsman’s investigation indicated that tobacco representatives met not only with senior staff but also with lower-level officials, evading reporting obligations. Among the cited shortcomings was the Commission’s failure to maintain or publish minutes from these meetings and a lack of systematic assessment regarding the necessity of such engagements.

Concerns Over Tobacco Influence

The influence of the tobacco industry in EU policymaking has long been scrutinized. As a signatory of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the EU is legally obligated to protect public health policymaking from industry interference. In a recent assessment, the WHO acknowledged the EU’s new transparency requirements but cautioned that the industry could continue to exert pressure on the legislative process.

“It is essential to safeguard policymaking processes from commercial interests,” the WHO report stated, emphasizing the urgent need for revisions to tobacco control legislation.

In response to the investigation, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated that meetings with the tobacco industry are avoided unless deemed “strictly necessary.” The Commission maintains that it does not actively seek input from the tobacco sector but only notes positions communicated by industry representatives. The spokesperson insisted that all meetings are conducted transparently and appropriately documented.

Philip Morris International’s Tactics

The investigation also sheds light on the tactics employed by Philip Morris International (PMI), one of the largest tobacco companies globally, to influence EU trade decisions. Recent lobbying efforts have increasingly centered on novel tobacco and nicotine products, such as heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches, and vapes, which are marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes.

According to records obtained through freedom of information requests, PMI has attempted to shape the debate surrounding the regulation of heated tobacco products. For example, with Taiwan requiring a health risk assessment for these products, PMI reportedly urged the Directorate-General for Trade to categorize this requirement as a trade barrier.

The European Commission confirmed that its Single Entry Point system, which allows businesses and trade groups to report concerns about specific trade barriers, has received three formal complaints from a tobacco company regarding measures imposed by Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam. However, the Commission noted that no action has been taken against these countries.

“The Commission does not shape, influence, or lobby for specific health policies in third countries on behalf of any industry,” the spokesperson stated.

The investigation raises critical questions about the extent of tobacco lobbying in the EU. According to Contre-Feu and STOP, the tobacco lobby is pervasive and consistently active.

In 2012, the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) mapped the tobacco lobby in Brussels, identifying 31 organizations, 97 full-time lobbyists, and an annual lobbying budget exceeding €5.3 million. A more recent report indicates that 49 organizations, employing around 139 individuals, are engaged in efforts to influence EU policy, collectively spending nearly €14 million per year on lobbying activities.

Major players in this landscape include PMI, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, and Imperial Brands, as well as various consultancies and trade groups acting on their behalf. As of the time of publication, requests for comments from PMI had not been answered.

The findings underscore the need for a reassessment of transparency measures and the influence of corporate interests in public health policymaking, with significant implications for future legislative efforts within the EU.