Fiery Tobacco Row Erupts as EU Lobbyists Clash With MEPs Over Transparency

This followed recent findings by the Ombudsman that the European Commission's record on transparency regarding tobacco lobbyists was — with the exception of DG Health — "inadequate."

Tobacco manufacturers are unique in terms of political lobbying, producing the only consumer product which is subject to an international treaty designed to reduce its consumption and exposure — the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 

One of the most quickly ratified treaties in the history of the United Nations — the FCTC was signed by 168 countries and is legally binding in 180 countries.

Particularly relevant to Wednesday's debate though, is article 5.3 of the treaty, which concerns lobbying and calls for a limitation in interactions between lawmakers and the tobacco industry. For this reason — amongst others — no representative from the tobacco industry was invited to take part in the event. 

When questions were opened to the floor however, a heated exchange followed comments from Ronan Barry, head of legal and external affairs for the European arm of British American Tobacco: 

"When we asked to participate in today's panel, we were told that we couldn't because of article 5.3; I don't see that as an application of the transparency principle. What could be more transparent than the industry expressing itself in public, in front of journalists? Are people concerned that my powers of persuasion are so supernatural, that I can subvert the will and the good judgement of politicians? Are you afraid that if I speak for too long the commissioner will suddenly become a promoter of tobacco products? Or are you concerned that the arguments the industry would advance have some validity?" 

Mr Barry's comments were given short shrift though, in a response from panelist Dr Roberto Bertollini, chief scientist and WHO representative to the EU, who was adamant that the tobacco industry had no entitlement to a voice in the debate: 

"There's nothing to discuss with the tobacco industry, there is nothing we have to agree or disagree on. We are on two different fronts. We have an industry that produces a substance which kills half of its users it has no added value in my view, and they simply have to be defeated. We would like that the tobacco habit finishes, so there's nothing to discuss."

Speakers on the panel included Emily O'Reilly (European Ombudsman), Vytenis Andriukaitis (European Commissioner for Health), Giovanni La Via (Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety), Roberto Bertollini (Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU) and Pascal Diethelm (President, OxyRomandie).