MEPs seek Commission answers over EU trade officials’ contacts with PMI

Key points

• Five health committee MEPs want the Commission invited to answer questions about contacts with PMI

• POLITICO and The Examination reported extensive meetings between EU trade officials and tobacco lobbyists

• Documents indicate discussions on overseas market barriers and at least three subsequent actions that would have benefited PMI

• WHO treaty obligations cited: interaction limited to “strictly necessary” and meetings must be transparent; not all were disclosed via normal channels

• A Tobacco Products Directive overhaul targeting vapes is due this year, a process expected to draw intensive lobbying

2Firsts, January 15, 2026 – According to POLITICO, the European Commission is facing rising pressure from lawmakers to explain its contacts with Philip Morris International (PMI) after a POLITICO and The Examination investigation reported extensive meetings between EU trade officials and tobacco lobbyists.

POLITICO reports that five members of the European Parliament’s health committee confirmed they want to invite the Commission to answer questions amid concerns it may have violated global rules on tobacco lobbying.

The report says documents show PMI discussed overseas market barriers for its tobacco and nicotine products with EU trade officials, who later took action at least three times that would have benefited the company. In one email, PMI thanked EU trade officials for the “great help” they had provided.

POLITICO notes the EU has signed a World Health Organization treaty stating governments should limit their interaction with the tobacco industry to what is “strictly necessary” in order to regulate the sector, and that any meetings must be transparent. The report adds that not all meetings were disclosed through the Commission’s normal channels.

The report says the issue comes as the Commission seeks to reassert itself as a global leader in tobacco control, with an overhaul of its Tobacco Products Directive to tackle vapes due to arrive this year — a process expected to attract intensive lobbying.

MEP Romana Jerković (S&D) is quoted saying commercial interests are winning over public health objectives and calling for a clear line between public policy and tobacco lobbying. The report also attributes the initial call for a Commission appearance to Nicolás González Casares (S&D), supported by Tiemo Wölken (S&D), Tilly Metz (Greens) and Stine Bosse (Renew).

POLITICO reports the decision to invite the Commission will rest with health committee party coordinators and chair Adam Jarubas (EPP), who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Commission spokesperson told POLITICO and The Examination last month that the EU executive “strictly follows” the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and “does not shape, influence or lobby for specific health policies in third countries on behalf of any industry.” The report adds that a Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond on whether trade officials would appear in Parliament if invited.

Image source: POLITICO