Table 5 Tobacco industry interference and actors which challenge tobacco control efforts, based on responses of tobacco control experts who participated in the study

Intimidation

Use its power to harass and threaten tobacco control community

Politician and bureaucrats

Recent cancellation of permissions of tobacco control organisations

Clause 3, 9

Creating alliances and front groups

Present exaggerated and widespread negative impact tobacco control legislation/ tobacco control policies

Civil society, farmers networks etc.

FAIFA,

State level farmers associations

All India Bidi Federation

Clause 19

Recommendation 1.2

Supporting Government agencies that assist tobacco sector

Garner support from within the government

Ministries of Finance, Labour, Agriculture, Commerce, Tobacco Board

Various policy measures

Clause 3, 13,20,21

Recommendation 2.1, 3.1, 7.1

Political funding

Contribute to local and national political parties for campaign and seek favours from elected politicians

Political parties and party leaders

ITC annual reports

Report of various tracts through which political funding is routed

Clause 22–23, 26–27

Recommendation 4.10, 4.11,6.4

Lobbying

Influence political and decision-making processes by presenting specious data and distracting officials from tobacco control

Front groups, PR firms

Lobbying by PR firms during Committee of Subordinate Legislation on pack warning (2015–16), TII

Clause 24–25

Recommendation 5.2

Litigation

Challenge laws and intimidate tobacco control advocates

Vendors, farmer associations, vested interest groups, Industry

Ghodawat pan masala pvt. ltd v/s the state of Maharashtra and others (WP no. 1632 OR 2012);

Recommendation 6.

Public relations

Shape public opinion by using media to and promote positions favourable to the tobacco industry and its allies

Media houses, PR companies, Government flagship programmes

Participation of tobacco companies in Government flagship programmes as a part of CSR

Clause 26–27

Recommendation 6.1,6.2

Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility

Re-normalise and re-legitimize tobacco with society; gain social respectability by participating in social and economically relevant issues.

Through reputed NGOs and government schemes

Support neglected areas of investment. Eg: GPI supports vendors in flood affected areas by creating tobacco vends

Partner with Govt in its flagship schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan etc., floods/drought situation/ pandemic

Clause 26–27

Recommendation 6.2

Participate in decision making with government

Promise investments to state government

Industry associations and government bodies

Investments promised by ITC, GPI, and DS Group to states

Clause 28–29

Recommendation 7.1,7.2,7.3