Smoking & Health

Our business is to produce quality tobacco products. We recognise that we operate in a controversial industry because of the health concerns associated with tobacco and smoking.

There have been more than 50 years of intensive medical and scientific research into tobacco and health.

Statistics show that smokers are far more likely than non-smokers to develop lung cancer and certain other diseases. This conclusion is based upon epidemiological studies, which are questionnaire-based observations of populations or groups of people. These studies have shown that smoking is associated with several diseases and have led public health authorities to conclude that smoking is a cause of lung cancer and other diseases in smokers.

Governments and public health authorities such as the World Health Organisation give clear, strong messages and advice about smoking to the general public, as they do on many other issues. We believe that smokers should continue to receive those messages, unchallenged, so that no one is confused or has doubts about the advice they have received, or will receive in the future. We do not want to challenge these messages to the public.

Owing to the breadth, depth and complexity of the scientific research into tobacco and health, there are limited occasions when we believe it is right for us to provide detailed explanation and analysis of our views. These occasions include meetings with Governments and Government-appointed agencies or their scientific and medical representatives, together with court proceedings, tribunals and inquiries. There, we would explore and discuss the science and opinions about tobacco and health and considerations for the future.