This event launching the EU Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2021 aims to raise awareness of the renewed efforts by the tobacco industry to influence the decision-making process at EU level. The event will take place on 2 December, 11:00am Brussels time.

The European and the EU Tobacco Industry Interference reports remind about the obligations of EU Institutions and Member States under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, specifically as regards Article 5.3 which asks governments to protect public health from the interference of the tobacco industry and analyse the level of implementation of these rules.

The proper implementation of Article 5.3 at EU level is a matter of urgency as Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is currently being discussed, along with the upcoming review of the main tobacco control pieces of legislation at EU level: the EU Tobacco Tax Directive, the EU Tobacco Products Directive and the EU Tobacco Advertising Directive. In this context, it is of outmost importance that EU policy-makers ensure the protection of public health policies against the vested interests of the tobacco industry.

The event also aims to highlight the well-documented tactic used by the tobacco industry to gain access to policy-makers by involving front-groups in the public health debates, which poses a significant challenge to the implementation of Article 5.3.

*Please note that the tobacco industry and those representing tobacco industry interests are not invited, in accordance with the Guidelines of Article 5.3 FCTC.

Register here.