Cancer Control Research
5R01CA091021-07
Lee, Kelley
TOBACCO COMPANIES, PUBLIC POLICY AND GLOBAL HEALTH
AbstractThe purpose of this project is to analyze the implications of globalization for the tobacco industry in
relation to its expansion, restructuring and influence over tobacco control policies in selected countries,
regionsyand globally. During the current phase of this project, attention focused on the analysis of corporate
documents located at the British American Tobacco (BAT) operated depository in Guildford, UK, access to
which has remained highly problematic for the public health community. Country profiles of BAT activities
were compiled which were used to analyze: (a) transnational activities of the tobacco industry in relation to
themes of global relevance; (b) efforts to influence public policy making; (c) efforts to influence the conduct,
interpretation and dissemination of scientific research.
This application for a continuation of this project will enable the completion of the original research aims
by focusing analysis at the regional and global levels, and across leading tobacco companies. The proposed
research will, inter alia, complete the country profiles once full on-line access to contents of the Guildford
Depository is achieved in 2007 via a complementary LSHTM project. Simultaneously, it will undertake
analysis along key issues demonstrating the regional and global nature of the tobacco industry and its
activities. This will focus on examining the strategies adopted by tobacco companies in response to the
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; significance of the corporate social responsibility agenda
among tobacco companies; strategies adopted by tobacco companies in relation to regional and
international organizations, and ways in which tobacco companies have reassessed corporate objectives
and undertaken substantial restructuring to exploit opportunities created by globalization. The project will
draw conclusions about the links between globalization, the tobacco industry and policy influence, and make
recommendations on how to develop more effective tobacco control strategies and policies to improve public
health.
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