New Reporting Reveals Big Tobacco Threatened Spain with Multibillion-Dollar Suit to Block Lifesaving Plain Packaging for Cigarettes

Washington, D.C. – Investigative reporting from Spain has revealed that the world’s largest tobacco companies including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco threatened the Spanish government with a multibillion-dollar lawsuit if the country moved forward with plans to require plain packaging on cigarettes. The alarming report reveals once again that tobacco companies will stop at nothing to protect cigarette sales and derail measures that save lives. 

According to El Pais, Mesa Del Tabaco, a tobacco association formed in part by Philip Morris and comprised of the world’s leading tobacco companies, was behind the threats to the Spanish government. The Spanish government has since backed down on plans to implement standardized packaging for cigarettes. 

Pioneered more than a decade ago by Australia, plain packaging requires that cigarettes be sold in packs of uniform size, color and shape and prohibits any branding or content used by the tobacco industry to make cigarettes look appealing. Nearly 30 countries have since followed Australia’s lead and require plain packs. Evidence shows that the measure is highly effective and is recommended as part of effective implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco packaging and increase the noticeability of health warnings. 

Tobacco giants like Philip Morris claim to be “moving away” from cigarettes, yet the latest news from Spain shows this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that tobacco companies leave no stone unturned in efforts to protect and drive cigarette sales. The news from Spain also follows reporting from The Guardian which found Philip Morris has launched a new global ad campaign to boost sales for Marlboro cigarettes – a far cry from a company concerned with health. 

For years, tobacco companies have tried to have it both ways – they claim to be concerned with health, while working tirelessly to sell a product that kills up to half of all its users and is responsible for more than 7 million deaths each year. 

Spain should not only move forward with its plans for plain packaging, but should do so knowing that tobacco companies have lost every single court challenge they have mounted against this measure. In the face of such blatant tobacco industry interference, governments must stand strong and continue implementing measures that reduce tobacco use and create a healthier future for all.