Les lobbies du tabac mettent le paquet à Bruxelles, alors que l’UE se penche sur le secteur

European lawmakers have met with tobacco and nicotine lobbyists four times more often over the past two years than during the previous legislative period, according to data analyzed by POLITICO. In the current legislature, which began in summer 2024, MEPs reported over 400 meetings, compared to around 100 meetings during the 2019-2024 legislature, according to data collected by the Smoke Free Partnership, a coalition of NGOs. These meetings are required to be declared and made public.

Most of the meetings during the current legislative term have taken place with elected officials from right-wing parties, including the European People's Party (led by the Republicans), European Conservatives and Reformists (led by Fratelli d'Italia), and the far-right Patriotes pour l'Europe (led by the National Rally). Meetings with the tobacco and nicotine industry have increased during this term, as the EU prepares to reform several important tobacco and nicotine-related laws.

The EU has also proposed measures to combat heart disease and cancer, which affect these industries.

Some European lawmakers have criticized the access the tobacco industry enjoys, as they negotiate measures to prevent addiction and diseases caused by their products, particularly in the context of a report on cardiovascular disease and cancer strategies. Tilly Metz, a Green MEP, called the situation "scandalous and shocking," emphasizing that when working on health-related issues, it is incompatible to regularly meet with representatives of the tobacco industry.

She referred to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which states that policymakers should only meet with tobacco lobbyists when strictly necessary to discuss regulation.

Tobacco companies and European lawmakers who frequently meet with industry representatives argue that they are not doing anything wrong. Simon Trussler, tax affairs manager at British American Tobacco, argued that like any other company in Europe, they have legitimate arguments and experience to share, as they see what happens on the ground.

Philip Morris International, the manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes, which has the highest number of meetings among all tobacco industry companies, emphasized its contribution to the European economy and its commitment to working towards a tobacco-free future. The company stated it is proud to participate in the democratic dialogue and dialogues with any European lawmaker, regardless of their political group, who are willing to discuss based on science, facts, and their commitment to being part of the solution.

Concerns have been raised about whether WHO antitobacco rules are being properly followed. The World Health Organization's Framework Convention stipulates that public health policies must be protected from commercial interests of the tobacco industry. It does not prohibit lobbying, but guidelines on implementing the treaty state that policymakers must limit interactions with this sector to the strict minimum necessary for regulation and ensure the transparency of these meetings.

The industry claims it follows the rules and discloses its views transparently, invoking a 2022 European Court of Justice decision stating that the treaty does not prohibit their participation in tobacco control implementation; it "only aims to prevent public health policies of parties to the convention from being influenced by the industry's interests."

Tobacco companies also argue that the WHO Framework Convention does not cover nicotine-based products that are not made from tobacco leaves, which are currently under stricter regulation as Europe prepares to review rules related to tobacco products, advertising, and minimum taxes.