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News analysis
Worldwide News and Comment
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  1. Marita Hefler
  1. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Marita Hefler; marita.hefler{at}menzies.edu.au

https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054192

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    World: Philip Morris’ smoke, mirrors, revolving doors & cash showers

    The most recent leaders announced for Philip Morris’ ‘Foundation for a Smoke Free World’ (FSFW) reveal a new recruit following Derek Yach from sugary beverage giant PepsiCo. James Lutzweiler, has been appointed Vice President, Agriculture and Livelihoods. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked at PepsiCo from May 2016 to November 2017, where he ‘Hired and developed an international team as part of the Global Public Policy and Government Affairs Group contributing to PepsiCo’s public policy agenda and development of strong policy positions that address key issues facing the business. Included developing strategies focused on achieving health and wellness objectives, uptake of expanded nutrition brand/product portfolio, and driving positive consumer choice in retail and convenience stores.’

    Figure 1

    Ehsan Latif. A photo showing new Programme Director at PMI’s ‘Foundation for a smoke free world’ presenting at the European Conference on Tobacco or Health, in his previous role with The Union. The slide highlights tobacco industry efforts to block effective tobacco control and the fact that ‘history tells us – we can never trust the tobacco industry’. Source: Twitter/@Gera Nagelhout.

    Figure 2

    PMI initiative screenshot. A screenshot of the Philip Morris impact project funding details. Source: https://www.pmi-impact.com.

    PepsiCo’s actions to protect its interests from effective public health policy have clearly been shaped by lessons from tobacco industry experiences: use donations and funding to neutralise opponents, create a research agenda to distract from the harm of its products, oppose all but the most benign tax and advertising restrictions, promote the idea that the industry is ‘part of the solution,’ and engage in ‘reinvention’ by promoting ‘healthier products’. No doubt the experience gained at PepsiCo will be invaluable for the new PMI initiative. Both PMI and Pepsi need ‘strong policy positions that address key issues facing the business,’ given their respective contributions to the global rise …

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