Low and middle-income countries face tobacco industry strategies aiming to maintain a favorable reputation
Matthes BK, Lauberk K, Zatonski M, et al. Developing more detailed taxonomies of tobacco industry political activity in low-income and middle-income countries: qualitative evidence from eight countries. BMJ Global Health. 2021. 6: 3. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/3/e004096
Authors used semi-structured interviews with 22 LMIC-based advocates and a discursive and instrumental taxonomy to do thematic analysis of tobacco industry strategies in three areas. In many high-income countries, the tobacco industry often focuses on rehabilitating its tarnished image, for example through PR campaigns. In LMIC countries included in this study, the industry rather sought to maintain an existing favorable reputation. The companies repeatedly emphasized their contributions, for example, as major job providers and taxpayers.
Stephen Hamann
