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Lobbying decision makers

The act of influencing decision makers can take many forms and can be direct or indirect. On this website, the term direct or indirect lobbying will be used to describe how the tobacco products industry works to influence public policy makers in order to obtain benefits so that, in this way, their products are not subject to regulation. This industry also lobbies through third parties or 'front groups' (indirect lobbying) to defend its interests which are rarely transparent. In Europe, the meaning of lobbying encompasses all types of corporate political activity, while in the United States, lobbying is more explicit.

This Observatory adopts a more restricted view, that is, it considers lobbying as the contact between the tobacco industry and public policy makers to obtain advantages and hinder actions for tobacco control. For other forms of political activity, distinct categories were created here.

Direct Lobbying

Direct lobbying refers to contacts between the industry and those responsible for legislation and/or regulation of tobacco products. Different social actors are involved in this type of activity:

  • Tobacco-related companies
  • People in the tobacco industry
  • Politicians
  • political consultants

''Lobbying'' is not simply getting specific ideas and data to the authorities. It also seeks to form links or establish ties between industry and government. Working together with policymakers can be very useful for industry, as can having access to working groups or advisory committees. The idea is to keep channels free so that the industry can question the meaning of existing legislation or influence the development of new regulations. For example, we have industry interference with the government, which culminated in the creation of the Chamber of the Tobacco Production Chain, linked to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), contributing to the development of tobacco industries and the promotion of their products, such as the Brazilian tobacco certification proposal1 2. 

Another example of influence is the movement of politicians who declared themselves against Bill n. 769/2015, by Senator José Serra. which deals with issues such as: banning cigarette advertising, use of additives that add flavor and aroma, standardization of cigarette packaging and traffic violation the act of smoking in vehicles when there are passengers under the age of eighteen, among other measures. While the bill has the support of José Serra himself and of the rapporteur Otto Alencar, unfortunately the number of politicians who are against and, therefore, impede the advancement of public health in the fight against smoking, is greater, which demonstrates the how influential the tobacco industry.

hospitality and gifts

In addition to conversations, contacts may involve other activities, such as: offering gifts to politicians and public servants; cash donations to political campaigns and/or political parties. The WHO defines this activity as "political funding to garner legislative votes and favor". Travel funding for researchers to attend technical meetings, cover speaker costs or job offers are seen as more acceptable. In addition, job offers can encourage the inclusion of politicians or public servants in positions as lobbyists or consultants in the area of their previous activity in the public service. The Observatory lists the latter activity under the term "revolving door".

There is also evidence of politicians participating in events organized and sponsored by a company linked to the tobacco industry. Such events range from private dinners to international travel fully paid for by the tobacco industry. For example, Japan Tobacco International spent 86 thousand reais entertaining British parliamentarians for six months throughout 2011. 3.

Indirect Lobbying

Indirect lobbying refers to contacts between regulators and policymakers as detailed above, and between people and organizations acting on behalf of the tobacco industry. You can use as an example:

  • Lobbying groups, including industry (tobacco-related) organizations and other trade organizations;
  • Transnational networks of lobbies;
  • Lobbyists and Public Relations personnel.

Some people argue that lobbyists speak for the industry and are transparent about who pays them, so this could also be considered direct lobbying. Others think this is debatable. The line between direct and indirect lobbying is fine. However, when "Research Institutes" or other political institutions are involved, we see indirect lobbying activity, which includes the use of "Techniques Involving Third Parties", such as "hiring independent experts" to talk to politicians , or using front groups to exert pressure on behalf of the industry, without revealing their interests.

For example, the British organization of small retailers, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, was indicted for taking money from "British American Tobacco" while campaigning against anticipated regulations on point-of-sale displays.

 

Another recent case is the documentary evidence of bribes that were offered by BAT to political representatives, who were once committed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but who entered into an agreement with the interests of the industry. of tobacco mentioned in order to undermine the effects of this international treaty in their respective countries4. In this case, the BBC Panorama Program shows that three representatives of African countries that follow the FCTC caused interference in favor of the BAt in the negotiations on the convention in 2013, including Godefroid Kamwenubusa, an official at the Ministry of Health of Burundi, who received about $3,000; Chaibou Bedja Abdou, FCTC representative in Comoros, who also received US$3,000 and Bonaventure Nzeyimana, former Rwandan representative, who received US$20,0005.

legal strategies

The use of legal strategies, such as: litigation or challenging legislation, are also used as a form of indirect lobbying. In 2011, in the UK, the industry tried to slow down the political process by delaying a round of consultations on the EU Tobacco Products Directive.

A recent study employing automated content analysis techniques found that the European Union legislation concerning the subject was significantly altered, through lobbying actions, aiming to contemplate the interests of the industry, with the assistance of many other stakeholders. ', including retailers.6.

In Australia, the industry challenged the legal basis for the regulation of plain packaging in the courts, using arguments about copyright and free trade and also questioned the evidence presented by the scientists responsible for the research, which showed the influence of packaging for the consumption of these products.

Another way to delay legislation and confuse the agenda is to introduce voluntary measures. Often this self-regulation forms part of Corporate Social Responsibility programs, where lobbyists are focused on improving corporate reputation. Industry efforts to play a role in decision-making have evolved into sophisticated attempts to influence the debate on tobacco and its regulation across a broad spectrum.

The Observatory also has separate categories that describe how the industry employs Media Tactics, Online Tactics and seeks to counter criticism. Additional details can be found on these pages.

lobbying

In the US, lobbying is different from other European countries. On the one hand, it is less subtle, less veiled, but on the other, growing protests against corporate influence in government and politics are forcing the industry to seek new strategies. A recent example is how Philip Morris International, in an attempt to gain access and influence, sponsored an exclusive corporate reception in Washington DC in late February 2012. The focus of the event was the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a trade agreement that the US is negotiating with eight other countries. Speakers and guests included US international trade negotiators, representatives from other TPP countries and many state governors.

Calling on government officials not to attend, the NGO Tobacco-Free Kids highlighted that: "Philip Morris International was sponsoring this event at the very time when TPP negotiations were scheduled to resume in Melbourne, Australia. Tobacco companies are working aggressively to ensure that this agreement helps them open new markets for their lethal products despite their devastating health effects and in terms of lives taken. Excluding tobacco products from trade agreements will protect countries' authority to implement the measures recommended by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control7.

As time passes, tobacco companies have adjusted their strategies to maintain their ability to influence policy debates:

"Health advocacy groups have been working hard over the past decade to force the tobacco industry out of politics. And they've come close to achieving that goal — but not quitting."

After stoking legal disputes, tobacco companies have been trying to transform their image in American eyes. Once regarded as giant conglomerates that can use their money to curry political favors, big tobacco companies now approach politics more discreetly8. 

December 14, 2010: Draft Legislative Decree to Suspend Normative Acts of the Executive Branch, 3034/2010.

Draft Legislative Decree to Suspend Normative Acts of the Executive Branch, 3034/2010
Suspends the effects of the Public Consultation of the National Health Surveillance Agency - Anvisa - number 112, of November 29, 2010, which opens a deadline for criticisms and suggestions regarding the proposal for Revision of RDC 46/2001, on the levels of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes, and a ban on additives in tobacco products.

'''In this regard, see also:'''

DOD implements new laws for tobacco sales / EUA implementa novas leis sobre venda de tabaco

President Donald Trump signed legislation in December amending the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and raising the federal minimum age for sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. This legislation, known as Tobacco 21 (T21), makes it unlawful for any retailer to sell tobacco products — including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, hookah tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems including e-cigarettes and e-liquids to any person younger than 21 years of age. Effective Aug. 1, the DOD will no longer sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21, including service members.

Embora a maioria dos americanos esteja corretamente focada na ameaça atual à saúde representada pelo COVID-19, o uso do tabaco ainda é a causa número 1 de doenças evitáveis, incapacidade e morte nos EUA.

Em reconhecimento aos danos de longo prazo causados ​​pelo uso precoce do tabaco, o presidente Donald Trump assinou uma legislação em dezembro que altera a Lei Federal de Alimentos, Medicamentos e Cosméticos e aumenta a idade mínima federal para venda de produtos de tabaco de 18 para 21 anos. Esta legislação, conhecida como Tobacco 21 (T21), torna ilegal para qualquer varejista vender produtos de tabaco - incluindo cigarros, tabaco sem fumaça, tabaco para narguilé, charutos, tabaco para cachimbo, sistemas eletrônicos de entrega de nicotina, incluindo cigarros eletrônicos e líquidos eletrônicos para qualquer pessoa com menos de 21 anos de idade. A partir de 1º de agosto, o DOD não venderá mais produtos de tabaco para menores de 21 anos, incluindo membros do serviço.

O Gabinete do Subsecretário de Defesa publicou a política que torna ilegal para qualquer loja de varejo em instalações e instalações do DOD dentro dos EUA e seus territórios e possessões, e em embarcações navais dos EUA em um porto dos EUA, para vender produtos de tabaco

Referência

 

Youth campaign for Latin America

Os tais "programas educativos", no entanto, não estão apenas encontrando uma forma de entrar em escolas. Eles devem ser entendidos como parte de esforços elaborados de responsabilidade social corporativa, visando criar uma boa disposição do público e das autoridades acerca das suas atividades. Essencialmente, como revelou um documento da Philip Morris datado de 1993, ir a público com uma campanha para desestimular o hábito de fumar entre os jovens serve para posicionar a indústria como "cidadã corporativa atuante", em um esforço para evitar posteriores ataques pelo movimento antitabagista.

Referência

LEIBER, Cathy. Youth campaign for Latin America. Philip Morris International, Estados Unidos, 23 set. 1993. Disponível em: https://industrydocuments.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=ngbd0110 Acesso em: 25 nov. 2014.

 

[Report regarding details of project]

Documento que demonstra o envolvimento da British American Tobacco em uma série de encontros de engajamento com stakeholders como parte de uma campanha orquestrada para se reposicionarem como empresas fumageiras responsáveis.

Referência

[REPORT regarding details of project].British American Tobacco, Inglaterra, 15 nov. 1999. Disponível em: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/eyb04a99/pdf Acesso em: 22 mai. 2015.

 

KPMG. The project: the way forward.

No final dos anos 1990, a Philip Morris e a British American Tobacco (BAT)iniciaram uma série de encontros de engajamento com stakeholders como parte deuma campanha orquestrada para se reposicionarem como empresas fumageirasresponsáveis.

Referência

KPMG. The project: the way forward. British American Tobacco,Estados Unidos, 15 nov. 1999. Disponível em: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/eyb04a99/pdf Acesso em: 27 jan. 2015.

 

Tobacco Retailer's Almanac

Almanaque sobre tabaco

Referência

TOBACCO Retailer's Almanac.Tobacco Institute; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 1994. Disponível em: https://idl.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=ysnv0041 Acesso em: 5 nov. 2014.

 

TOBACCO reporter: for the international tobacco industry.

Notícias diversas publicada pelas própria indústria de tabaco, que discute sobre os planos de vendas e discursos de defesa pró-tabaco usados pela BAT, Souza Cruz etc.

Referência

TOBACCO reporter: for the international tobacco industry.Tobacco reporter, Estados Unidos, vol. 111, n. 3, mar. 1984. Acesso em: 12 mar. 2015.

 

Research Conference

Trata-se de um documento interno da indústria do tabaco, a respeito de pesquisas de marketing.

Referência

RESEARCH CONFERENCE. British American Tobacco, Estados Unidos, 10 set. 1984. Disponível em: https://idl.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=ffpb0213 Acesso em: 3 nov. 2014.

 

MARKETING presentation.

Mostra por meio de gráficos e dados estatísticos e financeiros a participação das indústrias do tabaco no Brasil por intermédio de suas políticas de marketing.

Referência

MARKETING presentation. Philip Morris, Estados Unidos, 13 set. 1984. Disponível em: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/fnt32e00/pdf Acesso em: 9 abr. 2015.

 

Exclusive Report: tobacco iran

Revista internacional sobre tabaco.

Referência

EXCLUSIVE Report: tobacco iran. Tobacco Reporter. Estados Unidos, mar. 1984. Disponível em: https://idl.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=njlm0027 Acesso em:14 jan. 2016.

 

BAT abandons plan to capture major U.K. market.

O documento apresenta críticas das indústrias do tabaco, quanto a alta tributação aplicada aos seus produtos, o que por sua vez acarreta em fastos e demissões. Todavia, a Philip Morris reconhece anualmente um jovem cientista, pesquisador do tabaco, oferecendo medalhas e US $ 2.000 dólares em dinheiro.

Referência

BAT abandons plan to capture major U.K. market. International news, Inglaterra, 21 mar. 1984.

 

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