Articles

In December 2016, Philip Morris International (PMI) applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have IQOS, its heated tobacco product (HTP), classified as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) in the US.12 The US Tobacco Products Advisory Committee (TPSAC) recommended against authorising PMI to market IQOS as a reduced risk product.3 On…

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “illicit tobacco trade” (ITT) as “any practice or conduct prohibited by law and which relates to production, shipment, receipt, possession, distribution, sale or purchase including any practice or conduct intended to facilitate such activity”.98 In other words, illicit tobacco trade encompasses any illegal activity over the entire lifetime of a tobacco product. Illicit…

The tobacco industry has long-standing interest in cannabis as a potential product. Internal industry documents reveal that since 1970, Philip Morris International (PMI), British American Tobacco (BAT) and RJ Reynolds (now owned by BAT as part of Reynolds American Inc., RAI) have been interested in commercial cannabis manufacture.136 Background In a 1970 memo on cannabis,…

Background Factasia.org is a Hong Kong based organization, founded in 2013, which promotes newer nicotine and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes (also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, or ENDS) and heated tobacco products, and campaigns for their use in tobacco harm reduction. It is registered as a company, Fact Asia Consultants Ltd, in Hong Kong.180…

Background Meridian International is an organisation based in Washington D.C. situated between the White House and Embassy Row.210 It describes itself as a “nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center that connects leaders through culture and collaboration to drive solutions for global challenges”.211 Meridian states its mission is to “strengthen engagement between the United States and the world through diplomacy, leadership…

The Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) is an annual tobacco industry conference. Due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, the GTNF 2020 was held virtually as a video conference from 21-24 September.220 The following speakers, panellists and moderators were listed on the GTNF website in September 2020:221 George Adams – Rex Healthcare Chris Allen – Broughton Nicotine…

Key points Philip Morris International (PMI) is increasingly moving into the ‘cessation space’. The US Food and Drug Administration denied PMI “reduced risk” status for its heated tobacco product IQOS. Nevertheless, PMI continues to push it as a cessation product, including in countries where it is currently banned. PMI uses misleading terminology when talking about IQOS use and “quitting”,…

The Institute for Competitiveness (I-Com) is a think tank based in Rome and Brussels.298 I-Com has published content on tobacco and harm reduction in relation to the European Commission’s ‘Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’.299 Background I-Com was founded in 2005 by, what it describes as, a collection of “scholars, professionals and managers” with the objective “to promote debates and…

Weber Shandwick describes itself as “a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world.”306 It, and many of the communications agencies it has absorbed over the years, have a long history of working with tobacco industry clients. Background The agency is owned by the Interpublic Group of Companies…

The Tobacco Merchants Association (TMA) is a US-based organisation which hosts discussions regarding nicotine and tobacco issues. Amongst other assets, TMA own and run the Global Tobacco and Nicotine Forum (GTNF) and the Tobacco Reporter magazine. Background Founded in 1915, according to its website TMA is a US member-driven non-profit based in New Jersey which provides open forums and…