Alleged assistance by EU trade officials to tobacco company Philip Morris International abroad
15.12.2025
Question for written answer E-004951/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nicolás González Casares (S&D)
Recent investigative reporting has revealed that Commission trade officials held undisclosed meetings with representatives from Philip Morris International (PMI) and raised concerns on behalf of the company in non-EU countries, including Mexico and Turkey. According to the documents cited, these actions were described internally by PMI as being ‘of great help’ to the company’s commercial interests, particularly regarding heated tobacco and nicotine products.
These interactions appear to conflict with the EU’s obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires public authorities to protect public health policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry and to ensure transparency.
In this context:
- 1.Can the Commission confirm how many meetings or exchanges Commission officials have had with PMI or its representatives since 2020, including meetings related to trade or market access issues in third countries?
- 2.How does the Commission assess their compliance with Article 5(3) of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the Commission’s own guidelines on interactions with the tobacco industry?
- 3.Did Commission services raise concerns with non-EU authorities regarding tobacco or nicotine regulation following requests from PMI, and if so, on what legal or policy basis were such interventions made?
Submitted: 15.12.2025