This report published in 2025, was written by Dr. Sharon Nyatsanza and Ms. Lungile Mavundla, in collaboration with the South Africa Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Response (TIMR SA) and the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research (ATIM). The report was funded by the African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA).
This document analyzes the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies of major tobacco companies, particularly British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI). It highlights the gap between their corporate responsibility commitments and their actual business practices.

Key Findings:
• Environment: The sustainability initiatives promoted by the tobacco industry (carbon neutrality, recycling) fail to address the massive environmental impact of cigarette waste and vaping products.
• Social: The “harm reduction” argument is used to justify the promotion of alternative products, often targeting young people and non-smokers.
• Governance: Despite claims of transparency and ethical engagement, these companies actively oppose regulations aimed at strengthening tobacco control.

Download the full report here (link of the document on our website) to learn more.