11th Tobacco Industry Observatory on the COVID-19 Pandemic

The body STOP[1] has noted since the start of the pandemic a resurgence of activity by the tobacco industry in many countries around the world, which it compiles through monthly or bimonthly observatories depending on the activity. This resurgence in the industry's presence is very closely linked to the Covid19 pandemic, which allows it to develop an image policy and undermine public policies that go against its interests.

The last two editions of the STOP observatories cover the months of November and December 2020 and the first quarter of the year 2021They highlight the tobacco industry's strong involvement in public policy, particularly in South Africa, and its desire to present itself as a credible player in public health. Health-focused corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are a key aspect of the tobacco industry's overall strategy.

The Tobacco Industry, Corporate Social Responsibility, and "Science"

• A French pro-tobacco website published an article stating that the Spanish Ministry of Health has reached an agreement with Logista, a wholly consolidated subsidiary of Imperial Brands. The latter has been involved in the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine to Spain's autonomous communities. Logista has negotiated several contracts allowing it to ensure regional distribution of the vaccine in Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, and the Basque Country.
• Philip Morris International CEO Calantzopoulos participated in a roundtable discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine alongside the Greek Prime Minister, the CEO of Pfizer, and the CEO of Deloitte. According to a Greek media report, the Greek government has approached the tobacco industry to request financial support for the purchase of vaccination equipment in the country.
• Philip Morris International continues to use the pandemic as an opportunity for greenwashing, participating in the Asian Sustainability Conference to discuss improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. Philip Morris International emphasized the company's pandemic-inspired commitment to climate action, stating that Philip Morris International aims to make all its factories carbon neutral by 2030. Sustainability is the tobacco industry's new marketing tool for promoting new products touted as "eco-friendly."[2].

In South Africa, industry continues to oppose public health measures

In response to the health crisis, the South African government declared tobacco and vaping products non-essential and banned their sale between March 27 and August 17, 2020. This ban was deemed “unconstitutional and unnecessary” by the South African High Court in December 2020.[3] after BATSA filed a lawsuit against the government in June 2020[4] regarding this sale decision.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has appealed this unfavorable decision.[5]and this appeal was ruled admissible by the High Court of Justice. British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) opposes this decision of the Court and declared that the government should instead use the money from the appeal to fight the illicit tobacco trade and the COVID epidemic in the country. According to a recent study published in the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine[6], the government's objective of protecting health and reducing pressure on health services during the pandemic has been fully achieved. The 5-month ban has reduced the pressure related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the emergency department at the George Regional Hospital in the Western Cape by approximately 70%.[7].

In February 2021, the South African Minister of Finance announced an 8% increase in excise duty on tobacco products to discourage their consumption.[8]In response, BATSA warned the government that the increase in tobacco excise tax was a "dangerous mistake" given the growth in the illicit tobacco trade. The South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) also argued that tobacco traffickers would benefit from the increase in tobacco excise duty.[9]The tobacco industry regularly uses the argument of the development of illicit trade to counter anti-tobacco measures, particularly tax increases. However, contraband products are particularly those that come out of its factories and the industry's more general involvement in parallel markets is now widely documented.[10]In late February, OCCRP revealed that BAT was fueling illicit trade in Mali.[11]The study's authors indicated that the billions of contraband cigarettes originated largely from South Africa. This lucrative trade funds jihadist groups and contributes to the bloody conflicts in the region.

To read the first editions of the observatory

Keywords: STOP, COVID19, Interference, Tobacco Industry, CSR, South Africa, BAT Photo credit: ©STR/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP ©Generation Without Tobacco

---

[1] STOP is an international monitoring organization that tracks tobacco industry interference in public policy [2] Tobacco Free Generation, “Sustainability”: BAT’s new marketing argument, March 12, accessed March 30, 2021 [3] Tobacco sales ban was unconstitutional and unnecessary, court finds, News 24, December 11, 2020, accessed March 30, 2021 [4] Tobacco Free Generation, South Africa: Tobacco lobby continues legal battle despite lifting of sales ban, August 18, 2020, accessed March 30, 2021 [5] High Court grants Dlamini-Zuma leave to appeal adverse tobacco ban judgment, Mail Guardian, March 1, 2021, accessed March 30, 2021 [6] Saieva P, Jenkins LS. When people do not 'Zol': Reduced emergency center attendance of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown with the accompanying tobacco sales ban in South Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2021;13(1), a2750. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2750 [7] Tobacco Free Generation, In South Africa, tobacco ban relieves strain on hospitals, March 8, 2021, accessed March 30, 2021 [8] Princess Naidoo, South Africa Limits Tax Hikes to Virus-Hit Booze and Tobacco, Bloomberg, February 24, 2021, accessed March 30, 2021 [9] Alcohol, tobacco industries slam new 'punishing' taxes, Letaba Herald, February 25, 2021, accessed March 30, 2021 [10] Tobacco Free Generation, South Africa. Cigarette manufacturer accused of smuggling during pandemic, September 17, 2020, accessed March 30, 2021 [11] Tobacco Free Generation, Tobacco industry, smuggling, organized crime and terrorism in Mali, March 2, 2021, accessed March 30, 2021 National Committee Against Smoking |