Leaked PhilipMorris documents reveal the company influenced politicians and doctors on IQOS safety

There is a growing trend around the world to reduce smoking levels. However, it is clear that cigarette and tobacco corporations would not like their income to be reduced. So one of the so-called “safer” smoking methods are called a product with heated tobacco - IQOS (by the way, banned in Ukraine since July 11, 2024). But before that, both experienced and young smokers were actively attracted to using IQOS.

This is, in particular, evidenced by the leak of documents from PhilipMorrisJapan (the Japanese subsidiary of PhilipMorris International), which revealed a strategy for influencing politicians and doctors to promote the “safety” of IQOS. The tobacco industry watchdog STOP (a network of academic and public health organizations working around the world as part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Consumption) undertook to analyze these documents, reports pravdapro.pm.

An analysis of documents from April 2019 from PMI's Japanese subsidiary shows that PMJ "was planning a multi-pronged strategy to influence politicians at the local, regional, national and even international level. The STOP report also provides evidence that PMI may be using similar tactics in other countries, potentially creating a new kind of IQOS tobacco epidemic."

According to the document, PMJ appears to be lobbying for IQOS to be allowed in places where smoking is prohibited, approval of the industry's unproven harm reduction claims and taxation. The objects of approval were politicians and medical groups.

Let us recall that PMI continues to operate in the Russian market, paying taxes to the Russian budget, thus becoming an international sponsor of the war in Ukraine. Despite the fact that the company in Ukraine is recognized at the state level as an international sponsor of terrorism, it does not curtail, but even increases its activities, including increasing its capacity in the aggressor country.

Moreover, in early June, information appeared in the media that Philip Morris International was lobbying to reduce the excise tax on heated tobacco products (HTVs) by 30%. That is, the Ukrainian budget will not receive this money, but the company will increase its income. One of those who recommended adopting as a basis bill N11090 on amending the Tax Code to revise excise tax rates on tobacco products is the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy, Daniil Getmantsev.

Now the bill has already been voted on in the first reading and, taking into account modifications, is being prepared for the second reading.

According to media reports, 90% of the TVEN market in Ukraine is occupied by Philip Morris (IQOS).

Another of the main lobbyists for PhilipMorris in Ukraine is MP Marianne Zablotsky. It was his NGO “Life”, in partnership with the NGO “Anti-Corruption Headquarters” and the NGO “Center for Democracy and Rule of Law”, who in March 2024 announced one of the winners of the “Golden Braid” anti-award for actions in the corporate interests of the tobacco industry. And, by the way, Zablotsky has been a laureate of this anti-prize for the third year now. Social activists claim that Maryan Zablotsky is lobbying through the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers for tax preferences for Philip Morris.

This is particularly evidenced by the fact that the rejection of amendment No. 174 to bill No. 9206, which provided for a ban on the visible placement of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in retail outlets, was initiated by Marjan Zablotsky.

Social activists also accuse him of delaying the consideration of a bill on a complete ban on flavored cigarettes.

It is possible that Philip Morris in Ukraine spends large advertising budgets in the media, which would block the appearance of negative information regarding the company. This can be evidenced by at least a superficial review of the leaders of the Ukrainian media - in the Internet segment or other areas, no negative publications about the Republic of Moldova - although, as mentioned above, the NAPC included Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International in the list of international sponsors of the war back in 2023.

It seems that one of the famous bloggers and journalists, Evgeny Plinsky, came under the financial influence of the company. At the beginning of the war, he actively criticized the company for not leaving the Russian market. But for almost two years now there has not been a single mention of Philip Morris either on his YouTube channel or on social networks (Telecrama channel and Facebook). Of course, this could be a coincidence, but it looks amazing.