United Kingdom: Tobacco industry and controversial lobbying at Reform UK conference

The British party Reform UK[1], led by Nigel Farage and positioned on the right of the political spectrum, held its annual "Next Step" conference in Birmingham in early September. The event brought together more than 12,000 attendees, including representatives of major corporations, players in the cryptocurrency sector, and groups known for their opposition to climate policies. The notable presence of the tobacco industry and its allies raises questions about the party's close ties to certain private interests. This rapprochement illustrates the industry's persistent lobbying strategies, aimed at legitimizing itself on the political scene and influencing decisions on public health and regulation.[2]-[3].

The tobacco industry is particularly banking on these political groups, some of which draw on libertarian influences, to challenge existing regulations and not just to hinder future ones that could strengthen public health protection.

Presence of tobacco giants: a contested legitimacy

One of the most notable features of the event was the tobacco industry's active participation in the Reform UK conference. Japan Tobacco International (JTI), one of the world's leading players in the industry, sponsored a panel discussion alongside the Adam Smith Institute, a liberal think tank, on the "revitalization of Britain's high streets." This type of partnership allows the industry to present itself as a legitimate economic partner and distract from the health and social consequences of its products.

At the same time, the pro-tobacco pressure group Forest, funded by manufacturers, organized an event on the theme of "prohibition policies." This rhetorical choice, which equates public health regulations with excessive bans, illustrates the classic industry strategy aimed at discrediting tobacco control policies. By insisting on a defense of "individual freedoms," these actors seek to weaken the consensus around health protection measures, such as public smoking bans, advertising restrictions, tobacco taxation, and the new British bill to achieve a tobacco-free generation.

The presence of these organizations in the political arena of a rapidly expanding party poses a legitimacy problem. Tobacco is responsible for 8 million premature deaths each year worldwide and represents a major economic and social cost. However, by sponsoring debates or partnering with political institutions, the industry seeks to normalize its role and strengthen its capacity for influence. This active participation by the industry in an event organized by a political party that claims to seek access to government constitutes a direct violation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which specifies that public health policies must be protected from interference by tobacco-related commercial interests.

The highlighting of these actors in the context of a national political conference thus illustrates the tobacco industry's strategy of influence and entryism in public policies with a view to influencing current and future regulations. It demonstrates a historical continuity of lobbying practices, where economic issues take precedence over the protection of public health.

Multifaceted lobbying: climate skeptics and crypto actors

Beyond tobacco, the Reform UK conference was notable for the presence of other controversial economic sectors, which also sought to capitalize on this political window of opportunity. Among them were climate change skeptic groups such as the Heartland Institute, known for their opposition to environmental policies and their challenge to the scientific consensus on climate change. Their participation is part of a long-term strategy aimed at delaying regulations by instilling doubt, an approach directly inspired by the model developed by the tobacco industry to counter public health policies. These actors, from the tobacco industry, climate skepticism, and other controversial sectors, have gradually formed a true alliance, combining their interests to influence public decisions and weaken regulations that threaten their business models.

At the same time, the cryptocurrency sector increased its interventions and funding at the meeting. Several companies, including blockchain platforms and startups, sponsored debates or participated in roundtables. The party offered highly attractive financial support packages, including private events, exclusive meetings with leaders, and increased visibility among attendees. For these stakeholders seeking institutional recognition, the association with Reform UK represents a strategic opportunity to influence a rising political party and advocate for an agenda focused on deregulation.

This convergence between climate skeptics and crypto actors highlights a coalition of interests that, like the tobacco industry, seeks to influence public policymaking by relying on narratives of economic legitimacy and individual freedom. These dynamics reflect a common lobbying model, where the pursuit of profit and the desire to weaken regulations take precedence over the protection of health, the environment, and the public interest.

A party in search of political respectability

Founded in 2019 as the successor to the Brexit Party, Reform UK has gradually established itself as a political force capable of competing with the Conservative Party on its own turf. Under the leadership of Nigel Farage, the party adopted a populist and nationalist line, marked by a discourse of economic deregulation and rejection of restrictive climate policies. The "Next Step" conference held in Birmingham, which brought together more than 12,000 participants, represented a key step in this strategy of consolidation and political legitimization.

The presence of prominent political figures, such as former cabinet minister Michael Gove and Jacob Rees-Mogg, reinforced this dynamic. Their participation, even if only occasionally, helps give the party an image of seriousness and institutional credibility, further anchoring it in the British political landscape. The deployment of significant staging, including a spectacular pyrotechnic display, also illustrates Reform UK's desire to compete with the major traditional parties and establish itself as a credible alternative.

However, this quest for respectability faces major contradictions. Funding and support from controversial sectors—tobacco, cryptocurrencies, climate-sceptic groups—raise serious questions about the party's independence and the nature of the interests it defends. While Reform UK seeks to appear modern and representative, supporting industries associated with significant health, environmental, and social impacts reflects a form of hypocrisy. Aligning with these controversial sectors runs counter to the party's image as a forward-looking and socially inclusive party.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE

[1] Reform UK is a British political party founded in 2019 by Nigel Farage, initially under the name Brexit Party. Following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, it adopted its current name and repositioned itself as a right-wing populist party. Its platform emphasizes economic deregulation, criticism of climate policies, a hard line on immigration, and challenging institutions, with the ambition of directly competing with the Conservative Party.

[2] The Big Tobacco, Climate Denial Lobbyist and Crypto Firms Sponsoring the Reform UK Conference, Byline Times, published September 8, 2025, accessed September 9, 2025

[3] Rowena Mason, Ben Quinn and Peter Walker, Rees-Mogg, Gove and pyrotechnics: what to expect from Reform party conference, The Guardian, published September 4, 2025, accessed September 9, 2025