Behind closed doors: How the tobacco lobby influences the European Union and beyond

Abstract

The tobacco industry causes 7 million deaths per year, exploits 1.3 million children and pollutes the environment. Despite the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which requires limiting contact with this industry, the EU remains influenced: 49 organisations, €14 million in annual lobbying and 257 secret meetings with decision-makers since 2023.
The NGOs Contre-Feu and STOP denounce influence strategies, such as Philip Morris International (PMI)'s pressure on third countries via the European Commission, which weakens health policies.
With 700,000 premature deaths per year and a cost of €544 billion, the EU is not fully complying with the FCTC. Lobbyists promote products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, which are presented as less harmful, while maintaining addiction.
Eight of the fifteen recent lobbying groups are linked to the industry. Some Member States, such as France, are seeing their proposals (e.g. ban on nicotine products in 2025) held back by internal pressure. Article 5.3 of the FCTC requires transparency and limited contact, but the European Parliament has recorded 257 undeclared meetings, compared to only five by the Commission.
NGOs are calling for strict enforcement of the FCTC and an end to opaque interactions with industry.