The division of the Economist’s parent group that has come under fire over its commercial ties with the world’s three biggest tobacco companies is to stop doing any “new work” with tobacco companies.
The decision follows a Guardian investigation which revealed that Economist Impact, a division separate from the newspaper that runs events and includes paid-for and sponsored content on its website, was forced to cancel a high-profile cancer conference due to a backlash from speakers and organisations over its ties with big tobacco.
The investigation found that Economist Impact, part of the Economist Group (TEG), has deep ties with Philip Morris International (PMI), Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and British American Tobacco (BAT).
Between them, the three companies own many of the most popular global cigarette brands, including Camel, Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges.
Two future conferences due to take place in London hang in the balance after numerous international health experts and speakers from organisations including the NHS pulled out.
A spokesperson for TEG said: “Healthcare is a strategic priority for Economist Impact as we grow the scale and reach of our business and address the most important issues of the future.
“To continue to realise the full ambition of our work in health, Economist Impact will no longer accept sponsorship or undertake any new work with tobacco companies. This extends a longstanding policy not to accept sponsorship from tobacco companies for Economist Impact’s healthcare related work or events.”
Economist Impact also publishes paid-for 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 moving from polluting combustion engines to cleaner alternatives for consumers.
Another piece, authored by a senior corporate PR at JTI, argues that governments should stop increasing taxes on cigarettes to keep them affordable so that increased income from excise duties would help “limit budget deficits”.
BAT is a top-level platinum sponsor of Economist Impact’s Sustainability Week conference in London next March.
“The Economist newspaper operates independently of Economist Impact,” said the spokesperson. “Neither Economist Impact clients, or the Economist Group board, have any influence over editorial decisions and coverage.”