BACKGROUND: Requiring information from the tobacco industry (TI) is fundamental in regulating the TI and holding it accountable and liable for its actions. It is also essential in tracking TI tactics, especially the pattern of misconduct in particular misinformation shared with governments.
METHODS: To find out what the TI has been submitting to governments, a Global Resource Database was developed by GGTC in coordination with the FCTC Secretariat and maintained by the Secretariats Knowledge Hub for 5.3. This scoured data from government websites and transparency registers across 182 countries, keyword search is used to seek documents related to major TI, and lobbying groups.
RESULTS: As of 2023, over 200 tobacco-funded entities and allies, submitted over 900 documents, primarily policy submissions, lobbying records, and marketing efforts. Product Regulation submission documents were available in 39 countries and position papers were available in 12. Data availability on government websites varied, with more comprehensive coverage in high-income countries and very limited access elsewhere. Countries publicizing minutes of meetings with TI published a wider range of information submitted by TI. Policy positions submitted reveal tactics to weaken regulations, oppose plain packaging, and use corporate social responsibility as a lobbying tool. The type of information found are reports, submissions/position papers, etc., and there is very little on marketing expenses. A few countries demonstrate good practice by publicizing regulatory submissions.
CONCLUSIONS: The global database is a treasure trove of TI’s admissions and positions; this needs to be harnessed to study and expose TI tactics. Only a handful of countries require sufficient info from TI and make them publicly accessible in line with Art 5.3 guidelines. As an indicator of the level of transparency, it can be used to urge Parties to require further information from the TI and to make it public.