Tobacco regulation and engagement
Given that tobacco consumption poses real and serious risks to health, we agree that the manufacture, distribution, marketing and sale of tobacco products should be regulated in appropriate ways. We support effective, evidence-based regulation which can help to reduce the public health impacts of the use of tobacco products.
As with any other large business, we seek to be part of the debate that shapes the regulatory environment in which BAT operate.
While multinational enterprises have no standing to participate directly in global treaty-making processes, such as that relating to the FCTC, BAT companies can engage at national level.
Guidelines recently adopted by government Parties to the FCTC are recommending the implementation in national laws of measures
to limit interactions of the tobacco industry with governments. We believe that, like other interested parties, we have a constructive role to play in the development of public policies that affect our business and its
stakeholders. Truly effective tobacco regulation needs cooperation between governments and the industry and we have experience and expertise to contribute, particularly in areas such as tackling illicit trade, product
information and the development of potentially reduced-risk products.
There are areas where our views may differ from those of the regulators. One area of differing views concerns recently adopted FCTC guidelines for national regulation for a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising,
promotion and sponsorship activities, which recommend that this should include a prohibition on the tobacco industry publicising business practices described as “socially responsible”. We think that this contradicts
the principles of AA1000, the Global Reporting Initiative and other multi-stakeholder initiatives and would restrict the transparency and responsiveness that most stakeholders demand of business. We continue to believe that common ground can be found and that channels for open dialogue should remain.
Engagement and transparency Views advocated in policy formation should be transparent, whether from businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or any other parties. While we do not agree with recommendations in FCTC guidelines to limit government interactions with the tobacco industry, we do agree that any such interactions should be transparent.
BAT companies regularly engage with regulators. Examples in 2008 were:
- British American Tobacco made a submission
to the UK Department of Health in response
to a consultation paper on the future of
tobacco control;
- British American Tobacco New Zealand
appeared before a Parliamentary Select
Committee on tobacco excise; and
- British American Tobacco Netherlands led
the National Manufacturers Association
in meeting with the Minister of Finance on
tackling the problem of illicit trade.
We will continue to be transparent in our
regulatory engagement and we welcome
discussion with all interested parties.
