27 May 2021
Source: STOP Industry Brief
Since its beginning in 2017, the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) touted “independence and transparency” as two of its core principles, despite being wholly funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris International (PMI).
In 2018, its mask of “independence” began to slip; the Foundation’s tax return confirmed PMI was still its sole funder, despite FSFW’s claims it would seek funding from other sources. With the Foundation’s 2019 tax return, the mask slipped further, revealing its contracts with PR, legal and media organizations linked to the tobacco industry.
Now, the mask is practically off. Its 2020 tax return suggests that, despite its best efforts to hold the mask in place, FSFW’s ties to the industry and its agenda are showing more than ever.
