Globally Reported Tobacco Industry Interference during COVID-19 Pandemic – December 2021

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This is a continuation of our page on Globally Reported Tobacco Industry Interference during COVID-19 Pandemic and summarises the incidents reported during the month of December 2021. This page will be continuously updated as and when incidents related to the respective month are reported.

The Summary of Interference Reported as of 31st December 2021

Table 1 summarises the incidents reported since 13th March 2020, the date of initiation of the first Lock Down in Sri Lanka, the day we started monitoring Globally Reported Tobacco Industry Interference during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Table 1: Summary of reported TII during COVID-19 Pandemic

Tobacco Company Reported Countries Number of Incidents
British American Tobacco (BAT) South Africa, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Brazil, Kenya, Bangladesh, Croatia, Mexico, Nigeria, Honduras, Russia, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Greece, Canada, Italy, Ireland, Egypt, New Zealand, Philippines, Belarus, Belgium, Australia, Iran, Romania, Namibia, Pakistan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, France, Japan, Myanmar, Singapore, Malta 210
Philip Morris International (PMI) Brazil, Costa Rica, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Philippines, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Canada, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Pennsylvania, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Japan, Astypalea, La Graciosa, United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Romania, Dubai, Australia, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean 118
Altria Group United Sates of America (USA), Canada, Switzerland 75
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) United Kingdom (UK), Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Zambia, Japan, Romania, Germany, Cambodia, Greece, Iran, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania, United State of America (USA) 78
Imperial Tobacco Russia, Egypt, Ukraine, Greece, Czech Republic, United States 33
ITC Limited India India 76
Korea Tobacco Ginseng Corporation (KT&G) Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, Armenia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Romania, Cyprus, Greece 9
Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) Sri Lanka 12
Reynolds American United Sates of America (USA) 7
Universal Cooperation United Sates of America (USA) 2
VMR Products United Sates of America (USA) 2
RJ Reynolds Tobacco United Sates of America (USA) 5
Godfrey Phillips India India 5
DJarum Indonesia 2
PT HM Sampoerna Indonesia 1
Hongyunhonghe Tobacco (Group) - 2
7 HILLS Manikchand Products Private Limited India 2
Deccan Tobacco India 1
Vinataba Tobacco Company Vietnam 1
International Tobacco Company Nigeria 1
LT Group Philippines 1
China Tobacco China, Latin America 4
Gamucci United Kingdom, United States of America (USA), Asia and Africa 1
JUUL Labs United States of America (USA) 8
Swedish Match Sweden 3
Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC) Philippines 4
FerioTego Cigar Company United States of America (USA) 1
R.J Reynolds Vapor Company United States of America (USA) 1
Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation South Africa 1
Barco Trading Company Angola 1
Pan Africa Tobacco Group Angola 1
Avail vapour United States of America (USA) 1
22nd Century Group United States of America (USA) 1
Company not specified or interference via Front Groups United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Australia, Lebanon, Senegal, Sri Lanka, France, Myanmar, India, Chile, South Africa, Kenya, Bhutan, Philippines, Greece, Hong Kong 44

Week 90: 29th November – 5th December2021

  • The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has informed Morris International (PMI)to suspend the trade of IQOS, heated tobacco device of PMI, in the United States with effect from 29th November 2021. Director of U.S. communications at PMI, Corey Henry stated that PMI is looking for contingency plans to make it available in the US market.[1]
  • Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, Nigeria, publicly appreciated British American Tobacco (BAT) for investing USD 185 million in a new factory. This was in an event to officially launch a Naira 200 million (USD 48,000) Farmers’ Fund established by BAT in collaboration with Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Latter is a not-for-profit institution that reportedly “generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation” according to their website. Farmers Fund was reportedly established for “the re-integration and profitable engagement of ex-tobacco farmers in the production of food crops (cassava and maize)”.[2] Further, Waseem Hayat, the Operations Director of British American Tobacco (BAT) in Nigeria, declared that BAT earns more than USD 110 million in foreign exchange annually exporting tobacco to 14 countries in Africa.[3] Thus, the said donation to the farmers’ fund is only around 0.04% of its exportation of tobacco grown by the Nigerian farmers.
It is known that tobacco industry targets farmers using various tactics. Plethora of scientific evidence has revealed that tobacco cultivation, manufacturing process and tobacco products negatively impact on human health, environment and socio-economic development. Establishment of the Farmer’s Fund would probably promote tobacco cultivation among ex-tobacco farmers by indirectly highlighting the demand for the tobacco harvest with the new tobacco factory. Further, tobacco industry is known to exaggerate their contribution on economy while ignoring the harm their trade inflicts on the economy through premature deaths and diseases.
  • Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited India Sanjiv Puri was awarded the ‘Impact Person of the Year 2020’ by Group, a publishing platform that provides information of broadcasting, media, advertising, and marketing domain industries. It was reportedly “to recognize excellence in the Advertising, Media and Marketing domain” and was handed over by Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development in India.ITC Limited India is the main tobacco company in India which diversified their business into other ventures. As of March 2021, the Government of India holds 16.23% of shares of ITC via the Life Insurance Corporation, the Indian government-owned insurance company.[4]
Article 5.3 of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends the governments not to have any partnership with the tobacco industry as such partnerships have a fundamental irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health.
Article 6 and Article 11 of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends raising tobacco tax and standard packaging of tobacco products as demand reduction measures. Tobacco industry is known for using litigation to delay implementation of effective tobacco control policies and actions. Please visit our page Ceylon Tobacco Legally Challenging Pictorial Health Warnings in Cigarette Packs for more details.
  • Media reported a seize of illicit cigarettes worth of USD 9.7 million at Tuen Mun region, Hong Kong. They further reported an increase of seized illicit cigarettes by 70% compared to 2020 and that the total of seized cigarettes in 2021 was more than 347 million.[6]
Increase of illicit cigarettes is a common claim made by tobacco companies to justify their low sales volumes and evade potential tobacco tax increases. Tobacco companies are known for their own involvement in the illicit trade in many parts of the world. Please visit our page Ceylon Tobacco Misleading Shareholders: The Illicit Cigarettes Issue for more details.
  • Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL) announced a reduction of energy consumption by 41% compared to 2018, reportedly because of the initiatives for enhanced energy efficiency. It further mentioned that PMPKL was the first PMI subsidiary to generate energy via solar panels in 2016.[7]
The reduction of energy consumption is probably mainly be due to the closure of cigarette manufacturing factory in Kotri, SindhIn Pakistan in March 2019.
Image 1: Media reporting the appointment of the new CEO of Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC).[8]

Week 91: 6th December – 12thDecember 2021

Tobacco companies are known for their involvement in the illicit trade in many parts of the world. Please visit our page Ceylon Tobacco Misleading Shareholders: The Illicit Cigarettes Issue for more details.
  • County School District filed a case against tobacco companies including Labs, Altria and [Philip Morris USA in the Country Common Pleas Court against promoting e-cigarettes among teenagers. Defendant party including JUUL filed a “notice of removal” to move the case from state court to Federal court, consolidated with similar cases. Previously, Berkeley, Charleston, Anderson, Greenville and Pickens counties in South Carolina filed similar lawsuits against marketing and advertising strategies of JUUL.[11]
  • A research titled “Explore tobacco companies’ interference on the smoke-free environment at restaurants in Dhaka city of Bangladesh” revealed that the tobacco companies enticed the owners using incentives for establishment of 'Designated Smoking Area (DSA)' in restaurants and for display of tobacco advertisements. The research was conducted by for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE), a “rights-based research and advocacy organization”, according to their website. The Bangladesh Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act 2005 allows DSA for restaurants with more than one room.[12]
  • British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh was awarded the first prize in the Manufacturing Category at the 21st ICAB National Awards. It was organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) reportedly for best presented annual reports, integrated reporting, and corporate governance disclosures in 2020. The prizes were handed over by the Minister of CommerceMunshi.[13]
  • Francois Van der Westhuizen and Pieter Snyders, who revealed how the British American Tobacco (BAT) in South Africa spied on and attempted to sabotage the competitors, were jointly awarded the UK Whistleblowing Prize. This award, meant for “whistleblowers in recognition of their bravery, integrity, commitment to the public interest and positive and enduring impact”, was given away at the Blueprint for Free Speech Whistleblowing Awards. Van der Westhuizen revealed, at the awarding ceremony, how he and his family got targeted after exposing the actions of BAT; including his home being “petrol bombed”, and his wife being “injured in an attempted kidnapping”. [14]
Whistleblowers had helped to reveal unlawful actions of tobacco companies.
  • British American Tobacco (BAT) announced an increase of users of vaping and heated tobacco products up to 17.1 million by the end of September 2021. Media reported that BAT “was still making a loss from the new product categories but that for the first time, losses were narrowing”.[15]
  • Dessi Temperley has been appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Philip Morris International (PMI) in United States.[16]
  • Former Chief Executive Officer of Philip Morris International (PMI), Andre Catantzopoulos, requested smokers to switch to “smoke-free products”, in a webinar on Smoke Harm Reduction Conference. He further mentioned that “Smoking causes serious disease, and the best way to avoid the harms of smoking is never to start, or to quit”. Further details of the conference such as who the organisers, other speakers and the participants were, were not available in the media reports.[17]
Scientific evidence has revealed many harms related to vaping and using smoke-free products, including causing addiction and harm to lungs.
  • Several tobacco companies have been recognised as global environmental leaders by CDP under “A listing” of Climate change, Forest and Water security (Table 2). CDP reportedly recognises the “best-in-class environmental performance and leadership in tackling climate change, protecting forests and water security” via their ratings. CDP is a not-for-profit charity headquartered in England “that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impact” according to their website. CDP is managed by a board of trustees and board of directors reportedly under the funds “from a combination of government and philanthropic grants and mission-complementary fee for service”.
A plethora of evidence exists on how cigarettes and its manufacturing process negatively impact the environment including global warming and, thus, the human health.

Table 2: Summary of tobacco companies recognized as the global environmental leaders by CDP A Listing

Tobacco company Category Remarks
Philip Morris International (PMI) Climate Change, Forest, Water Security - [18]
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Climate Change, Water Security for third consecutive year [19]
Altria Climate Change, Water Security for the second consecutive year[20]
  • Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) partnered with ITC hotels in India to introduce an 18-month professional diploma on Vocational Education and Training. The diploma is offered by [https://www.ehl.edu/ Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), which is a hotel school based in Switzerland. This program is announced to be conducted in four ITC hotels for 240 students. ITC hotels are owned by ITC Limited India, the main tobacco company in India, which diversified its business into other ventures.[21]

Week 92: 13th December – 19th December 2021

  • Altria and Philip Morris USA declared a price increase of 15 to 20 cent per pack (depending on the brand) for some cigarette brands with effect from 12 December 2021.This was the third time increase for the year 2021 by Altria. Media also reported an increase of 14 cent per pack for some cigarette brands of British American Tobacco (BAT) in USA.[22]
  • Korea Tobacco Ginseng Corporation (KT&G) announced a 20.2% increase of sales to Won 2.64 trillion (USD 2.23 billion) during the first nine months of 2021, compared to pre COVID situation in 2019. It further reported that 31.1 billion cigarettes were sold in South Korea during the same period, compared to the 30.4 billion sold in 2019. Media quoted “industry experts” and stated that the increase of sales is due to “the pandemic, coupled with economic hardship, depression and a sense of helplessness”.[23]
COVID-19 pandemic stress leading to increase of smokers is a common statement made by the tobacco industry and its allies. The Scientific evidence has revealed that there is no association between the smoking prevalence and the pandemic lockdowns. It further revealed that it is associated with increases in quit attempts, and cessation.[24]
  • JUUL Labs and Altria agreed to pay USD 90 million for a class action lawsuit (a type of lawsuit where one of the parties is a group of people who are represented collectively). The investors earlier claimed that “the companies misled them and others about Juul’s marketing to youth”. As a result of a motion filed by investors on 9th December 2021 in a Virginia federal court, the companies agreed to pay USD 90 million to settle the claim. The motion further stated that the JUUL Labs is promoting vaping products among teenagers violating Securities Exchange Act. It is reported as one of the largest class action settlements in Virginia. [25]
  • Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Torii Pharmaceutical jointly released the Phase III results of the development of Delgocitinib ointment for the infants with Atopic Dermatitis (chronic inflammatory skin disease). JTI and Torii was under agreement in October 2016 for development and marketing of the ointment in Japan. Media reported that they are willing to submit a manufacturing and marketing application based on the clinical trial results. [26]
Scientific studies have revealed that tobacco smoking (both active and passive) is associated with Atopic Dermatitis.
  • Ministry of Labour in Malawi and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) reportedly “to contribute to the aspirations of the Malawi Decent Work Country Program (DWCP 11)”. The media highlighted it as “the commitment of the Government of Malawi to address decent work deficits prevailing in the labour market”.[27]
Article 5.3of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends the governments to not have any partnership with the tobacco industry as such partnerships have a fundamental irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health.
  • Philip Morris International (PMI) published a 10-year anniversary report titled Agricultural Labor Practices. It is reportedly to reflect on the progress made as a measure of celebrating the International Day of Human Rights and the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor in 2021. In addition, PMI partnered with Verite on the same, “to integrate its learnings into an open-source toolkit that will aid companies, suppliers, and producers in driving improvements in labor practices of agricultural supply chains around the world”. According to their website, Verite is a civil society organisation providing businesses with tools that help to eliminate labour abuses .[28]
  • District Court for the Northern District of Georgia dismissed the case filed in November 2020 by the Choices Management Corp (HCMC) due to the rejection of the Motion for Leave to Amend (allowing a plaintiff to at least amend the complaint one time in an attempt to state a cause of action) of HCMC. The case was against the Philip Morris International (PMI) on violation of patent of the heating and vaping product, IQOS.[29]
  • Naeem Shahab Khan, the Managing Director of Philip Morris International (PMI) Malaysia, stated that it was their plan to surge the sales of heated tobacco products in 2022. He further stated that they are not expecting further lockdowns and are planning for efficient operation in 2022 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[30]
  • Olakunle Ogedengbe, Head of Digital Business Solutions, British American Tobacco (BAT) West and Central Africa (BATWCA), was awarded the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of The Year under the Consumer Goods category at the CIO Awards. It was organised by Edniesal Consulting Limited, an Enterprise Governance firm providing business consultancy services, aiming to “celebrate and honour successful and outstanding individuals and organisations that are using digital innovation and information technology systems to bring about real growth and transformation to business” according to their website.[31]
  • James Xu, Chief Executive Officer of Avail Vapor, e-liquid manufacturer based in the United States, announced permanent closure of retail store and suspending the online trade. It was reportedly due to the inability to comply with the new regulations of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on vaporisers and the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The new regulations included maintaining records on legal marketing of the product, how the product protect the public health and the amend/ withdraw/ transfer of the ownership of the product (Image 2).[32]
Image 2: Media reporting the closure of Avail stores due to FDA regulations.[32]

Week 93: 20th December – 26thDecember 2021

A plethora of evidence has revealed that cigarettes and their manufacturing process negatively impact the environment including global warming and, thus, the human health.
  • JTI Asia Manufacturing Corporation (JTI-AMC), manufacturing arm of JTI, was awarded the Outstanding Employer Award in thePEZA Annual Awards by Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The award is reportedly given “to a locator that generated the most number of jobs, held high regard for the welfare of its workers, and maintained harmony between labor and management.” Previously, JTI-AMC has been awarded with the Outstanding Community Project Award. Director General of PEZA appreciated the JTI stating the contribution on generating employment and for CSR activities during COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by media.[35]
Article 5.3of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends against governments having any partnership with the tobacco industry. Such partnerships have a fundamental irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health. Tobacco companies are well known for their involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in order to gain leverage in interference in tobacco control actions and policies and also to whitewash their image and reputation.
  • Japan Tobacco International (JTI) announced that the company has decided to apply for the ‘Prime Market’ segment of the Tokyo Stock Exchange following the confirmation of initial listing criteria. Prime Market segment “contains stocks admitted to the Official Market that also meet special additional criteria”. The minimum of 800 shareholders, 20,000 units of tradable shares and Japan Yen 10 billion Market share capital are some of the basic requirements for the eligibility of the Prime Market segment.[36]
  • Rothmans, American Tobacco (BAT) subsidiary in Korea, started a campaign to collect used Glo devices, the latest heated tobacco product of BAT. Users are rewarded with a discount coupon worth of Won 2,000 for each Glo pro slim device returned. Media reported that 50 bins have been placed to collect the devices and more to be placed in the convenience stores in cities. Media further reported other steps taken by the BAT to be “environmental friendly”, highlighting the use of solar power in a tobacco factory in Korea, reduction of water consumption in factories and replacing plastic packages with environmental friendly materials (Image 3).[37]


Image 3: Media reporting the BAT Rothmans starting to collect the used Glo devices.[37]
  • The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to 22nd Century Group, a plant biotechnology company based in the United States, to market their two brands; VLN King and VLN Menthol as “Modified Risk Tobacco Products” justifying it by the statement “these products show they can help addicted adult smokers transition away from highly addictive combusted cigarettes”. 22nd Century Group produces cigarettes with different nicotine / cannabinoid levels solely used for the government funded scientific researches under the brand ‘Spectrum’. The company has submitted the application for Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) in 2020 following the approval of Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) for VLN brands.[38]
  • Sheldon Wood, country manager for Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean at Philip Morris International (PMI) declared the transition of new graphical health warning of cigarette packs will happen from January to 24 March 2022 under the regulation of Tobacco Control Unit (TCU) of Ministry of Health in Trinidad. He further mentioned that it is to curb the illicit trade.[39]
  • ITC Limited India was awarded the 6th Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) CSR Excellence Award under the 'Large' category. It was handed over by Sri Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs. The award reportedly “recognizes the best corporate contributor each in the large, medium, and emerging categories”.[40]
Article 5.3of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends against governments having any partnership with the tobacco industry. Such partnerships have a fundamental irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health. Tobacco companies are well known for their involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in order to gain leverage in interference in tobacco control actions and policies and also to whitewash their image and reputation.

Week 94: 27th December 2021 – 2nd January 2022

  • Dean Gilfillan, General Manager of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in United Kingdom stated that the trade of nicotine pouches is only regulated under the General Products Safety Regulation 2005 as it does not contain tobacco. He further stated that they won’t sell nicotine pouches to minors under the age of 18 years as they agreed to follow the “industry standards”. Further, he requested the government to modify the legislation to regulate the nicotine pouches with penalties to avoid minors being targeted under this situation.[41][42]
  • Trait Biosciences, a cannabis product manufacturing company based in the United States, announced that they are developing a water-soluble cannabinoid product. It’s reportedly a “Series A Financing”, which refers “to an investment in a privately-held, start-up company after it has shown progress in building its business model and demonstrates the potential to grow and generate revenue”. Trait Biosciences is sponsored by Btomorrow Ventures (BTV), the cooperate venturing arm of British American Tobacco (BAT) as stated in their website.[43]
  • British American Tobacco (BAT) Singapore will be awarded with a Gold Harmonia' statuette reportedly “to recognize companies with the best Human Resource practices and which demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures” as HR Best companies to work for in Asia 2021. The awards are by Business Media International (BMI), based in Malaysia, who “helps businesses in multiple sectors better understand their businesses, make better decisions, promote their businesses, and partner with them to grow their businesses” according to their website.[44]
  • British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, partnered with organisations working to promote mental health including Life Spring, Maya and Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic (PHWC) to initiate a mental health services to their employees.[45]
Scientific evidence proves that tobacco smoking negatively impact mental health causing mental health problems including addiction, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
A plethora of evidence has revealed that tobacco cultivation and cigarettes manufacturing process negatively impact the environment including deforestation, water pollution, global warming and, thus, the human health.
File:Malta.jpg
Image 4: Media reporting the BAT partnering with ACT to plant trees in Malta.[48]
  • Philip Morris International (PMI) announced a project to recycle electronic nicotine delivery devices of any brand in Ukraine. It is with the partnership of Flextronics International Kft, an electronics (consumer, health and industrial devices) manufacturer and electronics services provider based in Hungary. It is further reported that PMI aims “to recycle 100% of its smokeless devices by 2025 and reduce plastic waste from its products by 50%”.[49]
Electronic devices introduces plastics, heavy metls such as lead and mercury and other toxins leading to an array of negative environmental impacts, including accumulating in waterways, soil and marine life. Further, the e-waste exposure to heat releases toxic chemicals damaging the atmosphere.
Tobacco industry commissioning research teams and firms is a common tactic used to generate reports in favour of their interests.
  • Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC), a joint venture between Fortune Tobacco Company (FTC) and Morris International (PMI) in Philippine, estimated a surge of illicit cigarette market by 8.6% and 5.5% in the years 2021 and 2020 respectively.[51]
This is a common claim made by tobacco companies to justify their low sales volumes and evade potential tobacco tax increases. Tobacco companies are known for their involvement in the illicit trade in many parts of the world. Please visit our pages Tobacco Industry Tactics to Evade Tax and Ceylon Tobacco Misleading Shareholders: The Illicit Cigarettes Issue for more details.
Article 5.3 of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recommends against governments having any partnership with the tobacco industry. Such partnerships have a fundamental irreconcilable conflict of interest with public health.
  • ITC Limited India established the first offsite solar plant in Tamil Nadu worth of Indian Rs 76 crore (Approx. USD 1 million). The plant reportedly will be a solution to reduce the CO2 emission and ITC hopes to meet 100% energy requirement from renewable sources by 2030 under the ‘Sustainability 2.0’ project. ITC Limited India is the main tobacco company located in Tami Nadu, India, which diversified their business into other ventures.[54]

TobaccoUnmasked Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ H Hammond. PMI Must Stop IQOS Sales in U.S., 30 November 2021, accessed January 2022
  2. ↑ D Janu. commends BATN investment, 5 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  3. ↑ P. Okafor. yearly export from Nigeria to 14 Africa countries hit $110mn, 2 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  4. ↑ Business Line. chief Sanjiv Puri is ‘Impact Person of the Year 2020’, 2 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  5. ↑ B Pulta. wins P2.7-B tax case vs. cigarette firm, 3 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  6. ↑ H Pope. Hong Kong Seizes 27 Million Suspected Illicit Cigarettes, 29 November 2021, accessed January 2022
  7. ↑ Pakistan Observer. Philip Morris (Pakistan) enhances efficiency through green energy, 30 November 2021, accessed January 2022
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Daily FT. Tobacco gets first female MD/CEO, 2 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  9. ↑ Business wire. Morris International Inc. (PMI) Presents at the 2021 Morgan Stanley Virtual Global Consumer & Retail Conference, 1 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  10. ↑ O Singh. uncovers R40m worth of illegal tobacco and metal in Durban and Polokwane, 10 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  11. ↑ D Bright. maker Juul wants Marlboro County Schools lawsuit moved to federal court, 11 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  12. ↑ The Financial Express. companies incentivise 'designated smoking area' at restaurants, 12 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  13. ↑ The Business Standards. listed firms receive ICAB award for quality annual reports, 11 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  14. ↑ J Cronje. SA tobacco whistleblower wins top UK award, says home was petrol bombed when he spoke out, 9 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  15. ↑ D Slade. British American Tobacco says people are turning to its non-smoking products, 8 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  16. ↑ Business Wire. Philip Morris International Appoints Business Accelerator Dessi Temperley to its Board of Directors, 10 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  17. ↑ Leadership. PMI Urges Adult Smokers To Switch To Smoke-free Products, December 2021, accessed January 2022
  18. ↑ Business Wire. Philip Morris International Receives Second Consecutive “Triple A” Rating from CDP, 7 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  19. ↑ PR Newswire. JT Group Recognized on CDP's "Climate Change A List" and "Water Security A List" for the 3rd Consecutive Year, 7 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  20. ↑ Business wire. Altria Once Again Achieved a Double 'A' Rating in Climate and Water Protection, 7 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  21. ↑ United News of India. CII and ITC Hotels join hands with EHL group to offer Swiss Professional Diploma in Hospitality, 8 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  22. ↑ H Hammond. Marlboro Pack Price Goes Up 15 Cents, 14 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  23. ↑ The Korea Bizwire. Cigarette Sales Rise as Pandemic Takes Toll on Everyday Life, 13 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  24. ↑ S E Jackson et al. Association of the COVID‐19 lockdown with smoking, drinking and attempts to quit in England: an analysis of 2019–20 data, 26 November 2020 accessed January 2022
  25. ↑ J Edwards. Juul, Altria Reach $90M Settlement With Investors Over Alleged Marketing to Teens, 14 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  26. ↑ Market Screener. Japan Tobacco : Top-line Results of Phase 3 Clinical Study of JTE-052 Ointment, JAK Inhibitor, in Infant Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Japan, 14 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  27. ↑ M Chikoti. Govt signs MoU with JTI Leaf Malawi, 14 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  28. ↑ Market Screener. Philip Morris International Releases 10-Year Anniversary Report on Agricultural Labor Practices, 13 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  29. ↑ R Perry. Healthier Choices Management Corp (OTCMKTS: HCMC) Announces That the Court Has Dismissed its Case Against Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM), 15 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  30. ↑ KS Li. Morris Malaysia hopes to regain momentum as Covid-19 restrictions ease, 15 December 202, accessed January 2022
  31. ↑ This Day. Wins Consumer Goods Category At CIO Awards, 16 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 J Jacobs. Vapor’s stores go up in smoke amid haze of FDA red tape, 17 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  33. ↑ K Min-jee. heat-not-burn tobacco 'lil' enters 22 countries, 20 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  34. ↑ Market Screener. American Tobacco : BAT's Vuse wins prestigious SEAL Sustainable Product Award, 21 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  35. ↑ Business Mirror. bags award for Batangas factory, 24 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  36. ↑ Market Screener. Tobacco: JT to Apply to be Listed in the New “Prime Market” Segment of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, 21 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 K Jae-eun. throw away Glo devices, return them, says BAT Rothmans, 22 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  38. ↑ T Kary. Century Wins FDA Nod to Promote Low-Nicotine Cigarettes, 23 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  39. ↑ News Day. Morris: New cigarettes health warning from January, 23 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  40. ↑ dijiworld.com receives ICSI CSR Excellence Award for its large-scale and impactful CSR initiatives, 21 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  41. ↑ P Nalat. Tobacco boss calls for law change after super-strength nicotine pouches are advertised to children., 1 January 2022, accessed January 2021
  42. ↑ Miamiheatnation.com Super-Strength Nicotine Pouches Advertised To Children – Tobacco Boss Calls For Law Change, 1 January 2022, accessed February 2022
  43. ↑ Yahoo Finance. Biosciences Advances Innovative Water-Soluble Cannabinoid Technology, Delivering Key Milestones in Series A Financing and Appoints Dr. Hanny Kanafani as Vice President, 30 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  44. ↑ Yahoo Finance. 27 Singaporean Companies Named HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2021, 30 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  45. ↑ UM Jui. Corporate houses wake up to mental health, 27 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  46. ↑ M U Babu. Frontier Capital stands firm on Bangladesh equities, 28 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  47. ↑ Sunday Observer. bags CTC Chairman’s Award, 2 January 2022, accessed January 2022
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Times Malta. Malta plants over 140 trees in Mellieħa together with ACT, 27 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  49. ↑ Ukraine Open for Business. Morris Starts Electronic Recycling, 29 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  50. ↑ A Ogle Inclusion: A Conversation with Silke Muenster and Alexander Fleischmann, 28 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  51. ↑ B O de Vera. starts with tax, price hikes on cigarettes, alcohol, 2 January 2022, accessed January 2022
  52. ↑ Press Trust of India. maker Godfrey Phillips appoints Sharad Aggarwal as CEO, 28 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  53. ↑ The Hindu. unveils Sustainability Innovation Challenge, 30 December 2021, accessed January 2022
  54. ↑ The Hans India. commissions first offsite solar plant, 29 December 2021, accessed January 2022
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