Switzerland: Tobacco industry's "philanthropic" actions serve their commercial interests

A new report by Transparency and Truth, produced by the Swiss Association for Tobacco Prevention and published by OxySuisse, examines the tobacco industry's philanthropic activities in the cultural and social spheres. The authors of the document stress that these donations are part of a strategy of influence and image, aimed in particular at obtaining a regulatory framework favourable to the commercial interests of manufacturers. 

In 2023, Switzerland was ranked second to last in a list of 90 countries by the Tobacco Industry Interference Index, indicating a lack of protection of the country from tobacco industry lobbying. As Switzerland is one of the few countries that has not ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, partnerships with the tobacco industry are not prohibited, allowing manufacturers to finance many events and institutions.[1].

Numerous fundings from prestigious cultural institutions

The Transparency and Truth report notes that Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Philip Morris International (PMI) fund a number of institutions in the field of art, including the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Musée d'art moderne, the Verbier classical music festival, and the Fondation de l'Hermitage in Lausanne. Although this funding is relatively minimal (between 0.6% and 0.8% of the budget of these institutions), the financial support of manufacturers for such institutions allows cigarette companies to display a presence with public decision-makers, at the cantonal or municipal level. The report also highlights that such a strategy also aims to retain employees of the tobacco industry, who benefit from both easy access to these institutions (free tickets), while feeling that they are contributing to the cultural influence of these institutions.

The social domain invested by manufacturers

Transparency and Truth also documents the strategies of manufacturers in donating to charities that work primarily in the social sector. Although these strategies are relatively opaque, the report indicates that cigarette companies fund, for example, associations that prevent domestic violence, aid the development of mountainous regions, or a Protestant social center. While these donations may be beneficial to the organizations targeted, the objectives of the tobacco industry remain irreconcilable with the objectives pursued by these institutions. For example, the filters produced by manufacturers are one of the main sources of plastic pollution, incompatible with a concern to preserve mountainous regions.

A lever of influence presented as a disinterested philanthropic action

The tobacco industry regularly insists on the disinterested nature of its philanthropic actions. However, internal documents from manufacturers tend to demonstrate the opposite, since the civic activities of manufacturers are described as a strategic lever, in the same way as lobbying, to enable companies to achieve their regulatory and commercial objectives. This image strategy thus aims to obtain a favorable regulatory framework, as shown for example by a statement by the former vice-president of public affairs of Philip Morris in the United States: “This is a highly visible and effective way to reinforce to the public that Philip Morris cares about others and that its employees care about their neighbors and communities, which will make it that much more difficult for our adversaries to demonize our company and our employees.” It is precisely for this reason that the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, in its Article 13, prohibits all forms of sponsorship and socially responsible activity by the tobacco industry, as well as all forms of advertising, whether direct or indirect.

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[1] Transparency and Truth, Interested generosity, 26/11/2024, (accessed 27/11/2024)