ETCP research on illicit trade in the media: SARS Wars: Health warning – tobacco may be harmful to your democracy

This month nine US politicians wrote to the US Department of Justice demanding that it investigate the London-listed British American Tobacco (BAT) following claims that the company engaged in widespread bribery of politicians and policymakers in Africa. Police in the UK are also investigating claims in relation to BAT's dealings in South Africa and an explosive affidavit by a whistleblower summited to the Competition Commission also suggests large scale industrial espionage and the corruption of government officials. Meanwhile, the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association has come out guns blazing. By MARIANNE THAMM. ETCP research on illicit trade in the media: SARS Wars: Health warning – tobacco may be harmful to your democracy