Events division of the Economist group stops signing tobacco sponsorship deals
The division of The Economist’s parent group, which has come under fire for its commercial ties with the world’s three largest tobacco companies, wants to stop doing “new work” with tobacco companies.
The decision follows a Guardian investigation which found that Economist Impact, a separate division of the newspaper that organizes events and posts paid and sponsored content on its website, was forced to cancel a high-profile cancer conference following a backlash from speakers and organizations over his ties to the big tobacco industry.
The research revealed that Economist Impact, part of the Economist Group (TEG), has close ties with Philip Morris International (PMI), Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and British American Tobacco (BAT).
Together, the three companies own many of the world’s most popular cigarette brands, including Camel, Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges.
Two future conferences due to take place in London are in jeopardy after numerous international health experts and speakers from organizations including the NHS pulled out.
A spokesperson for TEG said: “Care is a strategic priority for Economist Impact as we grow the scale and reach of our business and tackle the key issues of the future.
“To continue to realize the full ambition of our work in healthcare, Economist Impact will no longer accept sponsorship or undertake new work with tobacco companies. This extends a long-standing policy of not accepting sponsorship from tobacco companies for Economist Impact’s healthcare-related work or events.”
Economist Impact also publishes paid and sponsored editorial on its website, which sometimes has a pro-tobacco angle.
One online piece sympathetically positions PMI as akin to a car manufacturer from polluting combustion engines to cleaner alternatives for consumers.
One more piece, written by a senior corporate PR at JTIargues that governments should stop raising taxes on cigarettes to keep them affordable, so higher revenues from excise taxes would help “limit budget deficits.”
BAT is a top-tier platinum sponsor of Economist Impact Sustainability Week Conference in London next March.
“The Economist newspaper operates independently of Economist Impact,” the spokesperson said. “Neither Economist Impact clients nor the Economist Group board have any influence over editorial decisions and reporting.”