Introduction

The Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023[i] (GTI) is a civil society report covering 90 countries from all regions across the globe assessing how governments are protecting their tobacco control policies from the tobacco industry’s influence. Many governments had singled out tobacco industry interference as the biggest challenge in implementing tobacco control measures.[ii] Each country participating in the survey documented publicly available evidence on what the industry did in their country to delay, undermine and thwart strong tobacco control measures, and how effectively their government utilised Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)[iii] to address these interferences and adopt measures to guide them when interacting with the tobacco industry.

This report presents select stories from across the globe to illustrate how collaborators used their respective indexes in various ways to expose tobacco industry interference, create awareness among policy makers on the industry tactics, support and strengthen tobacco control policy, and adopt protective measures. These stories on how the Index was used aim to inspire countries to be creative and resourceful in using evidence to implement Article 5.3 and fulfill their obligations under the WHO FCTC.

The Index supports the Ministry of Health to fast-track delayed tobacco control law

Brunei Darussalam and Botswana, recipients of the inaugural GTI 2023 Integrity Award were recognised for their achievement in putting in place strong tobacco control measures and protecting their policies from the tobacco industry interference. Brunei has guidelines issued by Prime Minister’s Office prohibiting civil servants from engaging with the tobacco industry, while Botswana, against all odds passed tobacco control legislation that has incorporated elements of Article 5.3.

Ecuador’s Index was used to support new health warnings on tobacco packs in Ecuador that were delayed while in both South Africa and Indonesia, the index was used to expose how the industry thwarted the passing of stronger tobacco control legislation. In both Mozambique and Zambia, the Ministries of Health were able to use the Index which documented industry tactics promote the tobacco industry and delay passing national legislation compliant with the WHO FCTC. In Oman, the Index has documented how the industry conducts CSR activities to reach senior officials in non-health departments who are unaware of the requirements under Article 5.3.   

Denormalizing tobacco industry activities

The tobacco industry does not cease its business in countries facing war and conflict. In the Ukraine the Index was used to denormalize the tobacco industry resulting in the National Security and Defence Council listing Philip Morris International (PMI) and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in the State Register of Sanctions as ‘International Sponsors of War’. The sanction for PMI applies until October 2027. 

Mobilising effective media advocacy

The Index was released publicly through press conferences in many countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Uruguay. Extensive press coverage in these countries on the many ways the industry interferes in government efforts was important in raising awareness and demolishing the sanitised public image of the industry. More importantly, media advocacy urges governments to act and fulfill their responsibility to protect public health without any hindrance.

On International World Human Rights Day, the findings of the Asian Index were reflected in an OpEd published in the IPS UN Bureau Global Issues: “Harmful Industry Blowing Smoke on Human Rights”.[iv]

Supporting legislators to incorporate good governance elements in policy 

In Peru, findings of the Index were used in a landmark decision to support a law that included a chapter on regulating interference from the tobacco and electronic cigarette industries. In Ukraine, the Index made it possible to counter attacks by the tobacco industry on the adopted tobacco control legislation.

Progress with Developing Article 5.3 Code of Conduct

In Ecuador, the Index has reinforced the work that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Inter-Institutional Committee on Tobacco Control, is leading to develop a code of conduct for the executive branch to stop attempts of interference by the tobacco industry in the development of public policies on emerging tobacco products.

The UK Index recommended improvements to the UK’s policy consultation practices, which contributed towards Scotland and Wales devolved governments now having guidelines that industry-linked submissions are separated out and not used in policy development.

In Palau, the Index led to discussions with the Offices of the President, the Attorney General, and the Ethics Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism, and Development, and the Ministry of Health about advancing Palau’s preparedness to counteract tobacco industry interference.

Improving Transparency Measures

The USA Index was used to monitor and document the increase in tobacco industry lobbyists registered across the country. In 2023, the tobacco industry registered at least 927 state-level lobbying registrations, involving 856 lobbyists or lobbying firms.

The Czech Ministry of Health took one critical step toward ensuring transparency and urged other ministries to follow the example of the Secretariat of the Government Council for Coordination of Addiction Policy, under the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, by publishing information about their communications with representatives of manufacturers, distributors, and promoters of addiction products.

Determining Strong Tobacco Control Outcomes for CoP10 Meetings

The presentation of Brazil and Ecuador’s indexes during the PreCOP10 meeting, which included government officials, WHO officers and various civil society organizations, provided an opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenges posed by tobacco industry interference in both countries and the region, sparking discussions on strategies to strengthen national efforts in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC. 

Similarly, the presentation of the findings of the African Regional Index [v] a special session during the pre-COP10 meeting generated great interest from policymakers on the urgent need to put more efforts to protect their tobacco control legislation from the tobacco industry interference.

Findings of the Index were used by Oman during their interventions during the COP10 proceedings to support Article 5.3 efforts in countering tobacco industry interference in tobacco control efforts.

Building the capacity of governments

The Asian Regional Index presented at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office capacity-building workshop on Article 5.3 for 10 countries in April 2024 and at the SEATCA’s ASEAN regional meeting on protecting youths from tobacco industry interference in Bangkok in August 2024.

[i] Assunta M. Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023. Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC). Bangkok, Thailand. Nov 2023. Available at: https://globaltobaccoindex.org/
[ii] WHO FCTC Convention Secretariat. Information Note on classification of novel and emerging tobacco product. Geneva. 2019 Mar 15. Available from: https:// bit.ly/3HI71QE
[iii] World Health Organization. Guidelines for Implementation of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 2008 Available at: https://www.who.int/fctc/guide... article_5_3.pdf
[iv] Assunta M. Reyes I. Harmful industry blowing smoke on human rights. Inter Press Service. Available at: https://www.globalissues.org/news/2023/12/08/35514
[v] ATCA. Africa Tobacco Industry Interference Index. 2023. Available at: https://atca-africa.org/africa-tobacco-industry-interference-index/