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Lucky Strike maker British American Tobacco today (9 June) said sales and profits would be lower than expected due to stricter-than-expected lockdowns in South Africa, Mexico, and Argentina.
The London-based tobacco giant, which sells Pall Mall, Rothmans among other brands, pointed to South Africa in particular, where sales of tobacco were stopped altogether in March as part of strict measures to stop the virus from spreading through the country where 37% of men smoke.
The company has announced revenues for this year are likely to be up 1-3% compared to last year rather than the 3-5% increase previously forecast. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that tobacco use, and passive smoking are responsible for more than 8 million deaths per year.
Source: Evening Standard, 9 June 2020
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A van carrying more than £150,000 worth of illicit tobacco was chased and stopped by police in Yorkshire. Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit (RPU) spotted the white van which had cloned licence plates.
Police, with the help of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) North East Region helicopter, decided to operate a "Tactical Pursuit and Containment" (TPAC) to stop the vehicle.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing with West Yorkshire Trading Standards.
Source: Telegraph & Argus, 8 June 2020
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) is investigating if some tobacco companies are breaching a recent ban on menthol cigarettes to hold on to what was a €250 million market in the Republic.
The European Commission has also said it is awaiting correspondence from Simon Harris, Ireland’s Minister for Health after he accused some tobacco companies of “undermining” the ban that came into force across Europe last month. Mr Harris had called for the Commission to intervene against cigarette manufacturers who exploit any loopholes in the new rules.
Major retailers have also started to contact cigarette manufacturers asking for confirmation that the substitute products they introduced after the menthol ban are legal after concerns were raised. This came as a result of an Irish Times report last month that some tobacco companies are still targeting smokers with cigarettes that either have menthol added or are advertised as “menthol blends”.
The HSE said it is “currently investigating these complaints and related matters” and it will co-operate with the European Commission.
Source: The Irish Times, 9 June 2020
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Two tobacco giants have hit back at allegations they are using the COVID-19 health crisis to improve their public image and win access to politicians.
Philip Morris International subsidiary, Papastratos, gave 50 respirators to Greek hospitals during the pandemic and the Romanian Red Cross was given a financial donation reported to be $1 million by Philip Morris International. Philip Morris International and Imperial Tobacco both donated money in Ukraine.
Critics say it is part of a public relations effort to lobby governments to loosen tobacco controls. They also point out that tobacco use may potentially increase the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19. Tobacco control advocates have further claimed these donations contravene the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a treaty that came into force in 2005 to protect people across the world from tobacco.
Both Philip Morris International and Imperial Tobacco denied any wrongdoing and said authorities had asked for their help.
Dr Mary Assunta, head of global research and advocacy at the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control, who works specifically on international tobacco control policy said that the donations contravene two provisions of FCTC.
“The FCTC is a legally binding treaty, and while almost all countries have ratified it, many face challenges from the tobacco industry when they implement it. However, about 60 countries have banned or have had restrictions on tobacco-related donations.
“Currently, many governments are vulnerable because they lack funds to fight the pandemic. Companies such as Philip Morris are exploiting the pandemic to donate money to organisations and governments. It is part of their strategy to repair their image and gain access to politicians.”
Source: Euronews, 8 June 2020
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Lockdown did not only reduce the spread of COVID-19 in France but also provoked positive health behaviour changes, according to a survey showing French people have spent the last few months drinking less alcohol, smoking less tobacco and consuming fewer fatty and sugary foods.
The survey, carried out by pollsters Odoxa and FG2A for news daily Le Figaro and FranceInfo, suggests that most people typically engage in unhealthy practices within a social environment. The removal of that social context has resulted in behavioural improvements.
Before lockdown was imposed on 17 March, 57% of French people said they drank alcohol either regularly or occasionally. That number dropped to 51% during the lockdown. There was also a 4% drop in the number of people smoking.
The polls’ authors said: "A common thread that explains all of these improvements has emerged: these behaviours all have a social dimension.” We drink more, smoke more, eat more when we are out in society.”
Source: Yahoo News, 8 June 2020
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