Threatening public health: new documents shed light on PMI鈥檚 secret science

鈥淜eep it a secret鈥�: leaked documents suggest Philip Morris International, and its Japanese affiliate, continue to exploit science for profit.

69色情片 carried out by Tobacco Control 69色情片 Group (TCRG) has uncovered new evidence of the manipulation of science for profit by the world鈥檚 largest international tobacco company.

The study, published in , reveals information about the recent activities of Philip Morris International (PMI) and its Japanese affiliate, Philip Morris Japan (PMJ). The research casts doubt upon PMI鈥檚 claims that it has transformed and conducts 鈥榯ransparent science鈥�.

A team of TCRG researchers examined to uncover this evidence. The documents were published by University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and date from 2012 to 2020. The study, published in a paper led by , concluded that 鈥淧MI continues to employ strategies to influence science at the expense of public health鈥�.

The documents include evidence that PMJ provided funding to Kyoto University academics to carry out research into smoking cessation. There is also evidence that PMJ funded a life sciences consultancy, run by a Japanese academic, to build a network of experts through which PMI鈥檚 science, products and messaging could be promoted.

The study also builds on TCRG鈥檚 previous research on the manipulation of science for profit. To analyse the documents, the researcher鈥檚 used the which was developed by award-winning TCRG researcher .

In addition to the paper, the research has contributed to work by , a global tobacco industry watchdog, and .

Today Japan, Tomorrow the World: Philip Morris Japan鈥檚 Leaked Marketing Blueprint for IQOS

Tobacco industry watchdog, STOP, has analysed a leaked marketing strategy document from Philip Morris Japan which reveals the company鈥檚 plans to manufacture acceptance of their heated tobacco product IQOS and grow sales. The document shows meticulous plans to influence politicians, medical professionals, businesses, and even consumers at the Tokyo Olympics.

STOP also points to evidence that PMI may be deploying similar tactics in other countries.

Graphic with eye symbol and people smoking cigarettes

The IQOS Illusion:鈥疻hat PMI Wants You to Believe Versus What the Evidence Shows

STOP also examines six key claims made by PMI about IQOS, showing that an increasing amount of evidence casts serious doubt on both PMI鈥檚 intentions and the IQOS product itself.

Influencing Science: PMI鈥檚 Covert Science in Japan

Our team have produced an article covering the information in the leaked documents, PMJ鈥檚 wider activities and the larger implications of the case.

You can also find information on the tobacco industry鈥檚 long history of attempting to influence science in order to downplay evidence of the harms of its products on the TobaccoTactics website. .

Person in protective laboratory clothing counting money

Science for Sale: Philip Morris鈥檚 Web of Payments to Fund Tobacco 69色情片

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism have released an in-depth interview with the whistleblower who leaked the documents on PMI鈥檚 secret funding of science including a timeline of activities that lead to him blowing the whistle.

They have also investigated what made Japan the perfect testing ground for Philip Morris and their IQOS product.