11 De-normalising the tobacco industry as ‘socially responsible’

The tobacco industry undertakes corporate social responsibility activities that are intended to promote, enhance or market the corporate brand, product, public relations or related image. These may include any youth, public education, political, social, financial, educational or community contribution, such as:

• financial contributions to non-government organisations,
• promoting or encouraging activities to work with governments, for example to address the illicit trade in tobacco or supporting environmental projects,
• promoting products purportedly claiming to be less harmful than conventional tobacco products,
• providing scholarships or awards and
• hosting events where often influential people are invited

Many such activities would be in breach of the ban on tobacco sponsorship and the advertising ban. If you are approached about, or become aware of, any tobacco industry ‘corporate social responsibility’ initiatives:

• Emphasise in internal and external communications that you and your agency will not deal with the tobacco industry and will take active measures to avoid interactions with the tobacco industry other than those necessary to effectively regulate the industry and its products.
• Do not endorse, support, form partnerships with or participate in activities of the tobacco industry.
• Act to correct any perceptions of such support or participation.
• Be cautious of any claims of ‘socially responsible’ activities.
• Do not attend conferences or events hosted, organized, sponsored or financed by the tobacco industry. Be vigilant if tobacco industry attends conferences or events and as far as possible avoid contact.
• Try to avoid photos etc. together with tobacco industry representatives.
• Inform your Ministry of Health.