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Philip Morris-funded foundation changes name but maintains pro-tobacco agenda

uicc.org

Nov 12, 2024, 01:06

Philip Morris-funded foundation changes name but maintains pro-tobacco agenda

Union for International Cancer Control(UICC) shared a post on LinkedIn:

“It’s LCAM—a critical time to highlight genuine efforts to reduce tobacco-related harm.

But some organisations are using misleading names and tactics to mask their industry ties.

Click here to read the article.”

The article discusses the recent rebranding of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World to Global Action to End Smoking (GAES), which raises concerns about its continued ties to the tobacco industry, particularly its funding from Philip Morris International (PMI). Despite the name change, GAES remains financially dependent on PMI, which has endowed the foundation with $1 billion over 12 years. Critics argue that this rebranding is a strategy to improve the tobacco industry’s public image while maintaining its agenda of promoting alternative nicotine products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The article highlights that GAES allocated more funds to communication and promotional activities than to independent research, indicating a focus on shaping public perception rather than genuine health improvements. UICC officials emphasize that this move is part of a broader tactic used by the tobacco industry to present itself as a responsible actor while continuing to promote addictive products. They call for public health policies to remain independent of industry influence and advocate for evidence-based strategies in tobacco control.

Overall, the rebranding of GAES is viewed as an attempt by PMI to retain its market presence while expanding into alternative nicotine products, raising alarms about the potential impact on public health efforts.