BACKGROUND: This study conducted by the Center for Tobacco and Health Studies (CETAB) at Fiocruz, in collaboration with the Stopping Tobacco Organization (STOP), examines the strategic use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by the tobacco industry in Brazil. The focus is on how CSR activities influence public health policies and obscure the harmful impacts of tobacco products. Key themes include Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Illicit Trade, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Child Labor.
METHODS: A document analysis was conducted, reviewing hundreds of industry documents, reports, and CSR campaigns to identify strategies aimed at influencing public health policies. The study focused on four central themes: ENDS, Illicit Trade, the 2030 Agenda, and Child Labor. Stakeholder engagement involved collaboration with global organizations such as STOP to assess the scope and impact of CSR activities on public health.
RESULTS: The analysis identified numerous instances where the tobacco industry leveraged CSR to counteract regulations and influence policy decisions. Notably, CSR campaigns related to ENDS and illicit trade were found to divert attention from the industry’s role in exacerbating public health issues. The study also documented efforts by the tobacco industry to align its activities with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development while undermining its core goals.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of CSR by the tobacco industry is a sophisticated strategy to portray itself as a responsible corporate actor while undermining public health initiatives. This research highlights the need for stronger policies and monitoring systems to counteract these tactics, especially in middle-income countries like Brazil. The findings contribute to global tobacco control efforts by providing evidence of the industry’s attempts to manipulate public health narratives and delay effective regulation.