Tobacco lobbying derails MEP vote

EUObserver reported that confidential documents had revealed in September 2013 the lobbying operation waged by the tobacco company Philip Morris International seeking to undermine efforts to make cigarettes less attractive to children and women, and force packs to carry larger health warnings.

The documents obtained by UK newspaper The Observer showed how PMI employed 161 people to combat the proposed tobacco products directive (TPD) as it passes through the EU's legislative process.

• Primary Source

The Guardian, 07.09.13: Tobacco giant Philip Morris 'spent millions in bid to delay EU legislation' http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/07/tobacco-philip-morris-millions-delay-eu-legislation

CEO: Press Release, 08.07.13: Tobacco lobbyists all fired up ahead of key vote http://corporateeurope.org/news/tobacco-lobbyists-all-fired-ahead-key-vote

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-directive-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-on-the-approximation-of-the-laws-regulations-and-administrative-provisions-of-the-member-states-concerning-the-manufacture-pres-2/

EurActiv, 10.09.13: Report: Industry lobbying postponed EU tobacco vote http://www.euractiv.com/health/documents-show-industrys-lobbyis-news-530308

EUObserver, 12.09.13: Tobacco firms under fire for EU lobbying http://euobserver.com/social/121410

EurActiv, 13.09.13: WHO joins chorus against tobacco lobbying http://www.euractiv.com/health/accuses-industry-sabotaging-eus-news-530415

EUObserver, 03.10.13: Tobacco giant spent €1.5mn to wine and dine MEPs http://euobserver.com/institutional/121657

EUObserver, 04.10.13: Intensely lobbied tobacco law to be voted this week http://euobserver.com/agenda/121672

ESO: Background information: Council agrees its position on revised EU tobacco directive http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-agrees-its-position-on-revised-eu-tobacco-directive/

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