BACKGROUND: Tactics that have worked well for the tobacco industry in the past, such as making corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions to access senior officials have been researched in India. An area that needs vigilant watch and transparency is reporting financial contributions to political parties by tobacco companies.
METHODS: Document analysis was carried out for ‘recognized’ national and state political parties in India (w.e.f 15 May 2023; Election Commission of India) and Electoral Trusts via the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Annual contributions were analyzed for the top four listed companies (BSE’s ‘Top 2000 Companies 2023’ list) and one non-listed (major smokeless tobacco company) tobacco company, as well as their subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures. These contributions could be direct or indirect - i.e., via Electoral Trusts and Electoral Bonds for 2013-14 to 2021-22.
RESULTS: We analyzed 746 contribution reports from 78 political parties (06 national and 72 state-level) and 26 electoral trusts for 103 tobacco companies. Fourteen parties were found to receive approximately INR 130.00.00.000 (USD 15.636.530) for the analyzed period of 2013 to 2022.
CONCLUSIONS: This study documents an unexplored area, thereby highlighting the need to monitor the tobacco industry effectively and underscoring the need to expand the scope of WHO-FCTC Article 5.3 policy to all actors and not merely restricted to government stakeholders.
The policy should be comprehensive and applicable to all stakeholders, including political parties, corporations, and non-governmental organizations who may be contributing to, benefiting from, and influencing tobacco control and public health policy at the national and sub-national levels.
Foundational changes that prevent political contributions from ‘demerit goods’ corporations or at least make them publicly accountable and transparent will help safeguard and demonstrate sound public policy-making for the public good, in the public interest, to advance public health.