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Funding for education and research In 2009, the British American Tobacco (BAT) Malaysia Foundation funded educational grants and scholarships to 17 students, totalling approximately US$93,000. The grants were to be used for degree, diploma and certificate studies by “students from the tobacco farming community.” [4] Philip Morris (Malaysia), on the other hand, annually teams up with a local NGO Yayasan Salam Malaysia in building information and communications technology centers (ICT) in the rural areas.
Internet news of collaboration with Philip Morris for the ICT centers in Malaysia
In 2010 Philip Morris International (PMI) donated approximately US$79,000 to build seven classrooms in Can Tho province, Vietnam.[5] Also in Indonesia, Philip Morris International (PMI) donated nearly US$5 million to the Sampoerna Foundation to fund curriculum development, capital improvements and more than 600 scholarships at private high schools, colleges and business education centres.[5] In 2007 BAT was involved in a career’s forum in Cambodia which was also attended by United Nations offices and Ministry representatives to attract new employees and to enhance its corporate image.
2 Sponsorship of arts and cultural events In Thailand, the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM) has sponsored the Swimming Association of Thailand for 3 years from 2009‐2011, providing 15 million baht per year (approximately US$490,000).[6]
To enhance its public image, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Malaysia has actively supported the development of arts and culture in the country. Since 2010, JTI has continued its partnership with “The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre” and “The Actors Studio – Teater Rakyat” in providing financial assistance for the performing arts movement in the country.
In the Philippines, Philip Morris Tobacco Fortune Company (PMFTC) sponsored in 2010 the production of a book celebrating the life and works of National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva, which the head of the company says is “in consideration of our active promotion of Philippine art….we hope to contribute in the worthy effort of stimulating creativity and artistry in the country.”[7,8]
PMFTC President Chris Nelson, National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, Rep. Imelda Marcos at the launching of the book Abueva
Community development and poverty reduction The tobacco industry is self‐serving in its philanthropic activities to the poor. Such deeds are translated into well‐paid publicities in all major print and electronic media. When tobacco companies talk about helping the poor it is usually and actually helping those involved in the tobacco industry. Example is in Cambodia, BAT continues to support farmers in the country in annually providing technical training on growing high‐yielding tobacco leaves. And BAT’s recent support in Cambodia in February 2011 was publicized.
In Lao PDR the Lao Tobacco Limited Women’s Union organised a public meeting to report on its progress in creating female and cultural family role models. Awards were given to nominees who were excelling in these areas.
In the Philippines, the Global Fund to fight Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) continues to fund a Department of Health (DOH) TB control program, which is run by the "Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)" organisation, despite the fact that the PBSP lists tobacco industry members in its roster. [9]
In an effort to “reduce hardcore poverty” British American Tobacco Malaysia collaborated with the local development agency KESEDAR to build 15 homes for poverty stricken families in Kelantan. According to BAT Malaysia, this scheme was part of the Government’s Program “Penempatan Masyarakat Setempat” (PPMS) to alleviate hardcore poverty in the country.[10]
3 JTI is also working to create positive PR in Malaysia by contributing financially and in‐kind to 16 elderly welfare homes, providing housing for those no longer able to take care of themselves.[11]
BAT officials visited tobacco farmers in one tobacco The Global Fund TB campaign and aid in the Philippines growing Province in Cambodia
The inauguration of a city hospital in the Philippines officiated by the city Mayor and a local tobacco company magnate. The hospital was donated through the company’s foundation‐‐Tan Yan Kee Foundation.
Disaster relief During the 2010 eruptions of Mount Merapi in Java, Indonesia, the Sampoerna Rescue Camp was set up to provide relief for those effected by the explosions. Sampoerna is one of the largest tobacco manufacturers in the country, owned by Philip Morris International. The disaster relief was an opportunity for the company for positive branding in a country Sampoerna rescue operation vehicle used in Indonesia during the volcano eruption
where almost two‐thirds of adult males are addicted to cigarettes. [12, 13] Similar to PMI’s work in Indonesia, Japan Tobacco International also sought to take advantage of disaster in the Philippines by donating to relief efforts after Typhoon Ketsana struck in September 2009.[11] Sampoerna volunteer and the rescue camp at the wake of the disaster in Indonesia
4 Environmental protection Philip Morris International is contributing US$60,000 over 5 years toward a reforestation program run by the Kaliandra Foundation in Indonesia, replanting trees and training local workers in agricultural practices. [5] However, it is estimated that the annual cost of tobacco related deforestation in Indonesia is US$7.9 million annually,[14] so this sum should be seen as nothing more than a token gesture. Related to this, PT Djarum has its own series of CSR events with the Environment Ministry since 2010 dealing with planting trees. “Keep Our Streets Clean” campaign saw a nationwide roll‐out in 2010 in Malaysia. JTI Malaysia ambassadors distributed 21,200 free portable ashtrays to pedestrian adult smokers on the streets with pledges to keep the streets clean from cigarette butts litter.
PMFTC President Chris Nelson promoting anti‐cigarette butt litter in the Philippines with its donated cigarette bins(right and left photos) The JTI “Keep our streets clean” campaign paraphernalia with cigarettes (center photo)
Also in the Philippines, Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco Co. Inc. (PMFTC) introduced an anti‐cigarette butt litter campaign, funding the production and placement of cigarette butt receptacles on the streets as well as awareness campaigns to promote their use. This is a prime example of Big Tobacco attempting to create a positive image by reducing the environmental impact of cigarettes, a product that they are in the business of selling.[15]
In Thailand, Philip Morris International funds environmental projects to achieve their own ends by supporting villagers in tobacco growing regions. For example, funding the Phrae Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO) to create dams in their region to provide water for agricultural production and fire prevention.[5]
Newspaper paid publicity by PT Djarum Thailand Tobacco Monopoly’s (TTM) environment CSR In Indonesia on its donations to replanting project
5 Current CSR Legislation Summary in ASEAN, 2011
Country Tobacco Legislation sponsorship status Cambodia Banned Sub‐decree banning advertising, promotion and sponsorship except CSR approved in February 2011 and will take into effect in August 2011 Indonesia Partial ban No current national policies in place Lao PDR Banned Under the TC Law (12/2009) and Decree to Implement the except CSR Tobacco Advertising Ban (8/2010) tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship are banned except at POS. Malaysia Banned Control of Tobacco Product Regulations, 2004 (and subsequent except CSR amendments) provides extensive regulation and banning of advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Philippines Banned The Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA9211) prohibits all except CSR advertising, promotion and sponsorship except at POS. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9211 are separate set of rules that enforce RA9211 Thailand Banned The Tobacco Product Control Act of 1992 effectively banned except CSR advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco. Note: use of tobacco company name is allowed in CSR Vietnam Banned Regulation banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and except sponsorship except at POS. In addition, there is a ban on any certain CSR domestic organization receiving sponsorship from tobacco activities companies for cultural, art or sporting events related to tobacco advertising
WHO FCTC Recommendations
Article 5.3 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control states:
“In setting and implementing their public health policies with regards to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with national law.”[16]
Recommendations from the 3rd Conference of the Parties of the FCTC provide further guidance for parties in reducing the interference of the tobacco industry and implementing article 5.3 of the FCTC:
“(6) Denormalize and to the extent possible regulate activities described as “socially responsible” by the tobacco industry, including but not limited to activities described as “corporate social responsibility”
6 Recommendations
Inform all government branches and members of the public about the true purpose of tobacco company corporate social responsibility activities. Do not endorse, support, award, form partnerships with or participate in corporate social responsibility activities of the tobacco industry. Do not allow the tobacco industry to advertise their corporate social responsibility activities in public forums, except when legally required, such as in annual reports Do not allow any government or public sector employee to accept anything from tobacco industry representatives, whether it is financial or otherwise.
References
1. World Health Organization. Tobacco industry and corporate responsibility...an inherent contradiction. February, 2003; Available from: http://www.who.int/tobacco/media/en/tob‐ industry.pdf. 2. Hammond R. and Rowell A., Trust us: We're the tobacco industry, May, 2001, p3. Action on Smoking and Health and The Campaign for Tobacco‐Free Kids. Available from: http://tobacco.health.usyd.edu.au/assets/pdfs/tobacco‐industry/trustus.pdf 3. Demick, B., Arts Patronage Sparks a Debate, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 5, 1993, p.A1. Quoted in "Smoke & Mirror : How the tobacco Industry Buys & Lies Its Way to Power & Profits". Advocacy Institute, August, 1998. p.13. 4. British American Tobacco Malaysia. BAT Malaysia Foundation awards RM310,000 worth of scholarships. November 12, 2009 [cited May 20, 2011]; Available from: http://www.batmalaysia.com/group/sites/BAT_7RYJ8N.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO7XXE2U?o pendocument&SKN=1. 5. Philip Morris International. 2010 Charitable Contributions. 2011; Available from: http://www.pmi.com/eng/about_us/corporate_contributions/pages/corporate_contributio ns.aspx. 6. Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (TTM). Social Contribution. 2010 [cited May 24, 2011]; Available from: http://www.thaitobacco.or.th/eng/customize/6‐0‐2037.html. 7. Secretariat of the Philippine Art Awards. Philippine Art Awards: Presenters and Partners. 2010 [cited May 20, 2011]; Available from: http://www.philippineartawards.org/presenters.php. 8. Yuson, A., Abueva: A handsome hunk of a book befitting the artist in The Philippine Star. November 29, 2010: Manila, Philippines. 9. The Global Fund to Fight Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria. Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) : Grant Recipient Report: Sustaining TB Control and Ensuring Universal Access to Comprehensive Quality TB Care 2010 [cited May 20, 2011]; Available from: http://portfolio.theglobalfund.org/Grant/Index/PHL‐202‐G11‐T. 10. British American Tobacco Malaysia. KESEDAR and British American Tobacco Malaysia Foundation collaborate to help alleviate hardcore poverty. 2010 [cited May 20, 2011]; Available from: http://www.batmalaysia.com/group/sites/BAT_7RYJ8N.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO83D4B8?o pendocument&SKN=1. 11. Japan Tobacco International (JTI). CSR Report for 2010. 2010; 43. Available from: http://www.jt.com/csr/report/index.html.
7 12. Carless, W. This volcano brought to you by Philip Morris. November 4, 2010 [cited May 20, 2011]; Available from: http://tobaccocommons.com/2010/11/15/indonesia‐this‐volcano‐ brought‐to‐you‐by‐philip‐morris/. 13. World Health Organization: South East Asia Regional Office. Regional Tobacco Surveillance System Country Profiles: Indonesia. 2002; Available from: http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Regional_Tobacco_Surveillance_System_Country_Profil es_indonesia.pdf. 14. Otañez, M. and Glantz, S.A., Social responsibility in tobacco production? Tobacco companies’ use of green supply chains to obscure the real costs of tobacco farming. Tobacco Control, 2011. Available online first, to be published http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2011/04/15/tc.2010.039537.full?sid=4c7781e 8‐312f‐46e8‐a818‐a290118b54bb. 15. Remo, A., DENR tags cigarette butts No. 2 pollutant, in The Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 15, 2010. 16. World Health Organisation. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 2003; Available from: http://www.who.int/fctc/en/.
Acknowledgements
Information provided by SEATCA Country SIS focal persons and partners from Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam participating in the SEA Tobacco Industry Surveillance and Monitoring (SIS) project of SEATCA.
1. Cambodia ‐ Dr. Mom Kong, Dr. Yel Daravuth, Ms. Phailin Yoeu and Mr. Mourn Bonic 2. Indonesia ‐ Ms. Lisda Sundari, Dr. Elly Mutiawati, Dr. Rohani Budi, Dr. Widyastuti Soerojo and Atty. Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto 3. Lao PDR ‐ Dr. Maniphan Vongphosy, Ms. Vathsana Kongsengphengphet, Mr. Youda Kongsengphengphet and Dr. Bounlonh Ketsouvannasane 4. Malaysia ‐ Mr. Halilol Rahman Mohammed, Dr. Rahmat Awang and Dr. Zarihah Zain 5. Philippines ‐ Atty. Irene Patricia Reyes, Dr. Rachel Rowena Garcia, Atty. Debra Sy and Dr. Maricar Limpin 6. Thailand ‐ Dr. Piyarat Nimpitakpong, Ms. Churunee Pichayakulmongkon, Ms. Sataporn Jiratananon and Ms. Suksan Selanon 7. Vietnam ‐ Ms. Nguyen Thac Minh, Ms. Tran Kieu Thanh Ha, Dr. Phan Thii Hai, Dr. Pham Thi Hoang Anh and Dr. Nguyen Tuan Lam
Photo credits: Country SIS focal persons and Ms. Menchi G. Velasco SEATCA editorial team: Ms. Bungon Ritthiphakdee and Dr. Mary Assunta Writers: Ms. Anna Jura and Ms. Menchi G. Velasco
The Tobacco Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): An Overview from South East Asia June 2011 South East Asia Tobacco Industry Surveillance and Monitoring Program (SIS), SEATCA
SEATCA CONTACT: Thakolsuk Place, Rm 2B, 115 Thoddamri Rd. Nakornchaisri, Dusit Bangkok, 10300, Thailand Tel./Fax: +662 241 0082 Website: http://www.seatca.org For further information contact: [email protected], [email protected]
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