Sprecher(in) und Anschrift
Johannes Spatz,
( (030)
7475-5922, Fax: -5925
c/o BA Friedr.-Kreuzberg, Plan- u. Leitstelle Gesundheit
Möllenhoffstr. 17
10967 Berlin
Giselly Leinenbach, (
(030) 897 49007
Dr. Jörn Reimann, (
(030) 256 33829
Wolfgang Nitze,
(
(030) 747 55974
Press release
Berlin, 21.06.06
British American Tobacco (BAT) openly admits that it influences political parties with contributions. This follows from a code of conduct made public by BAT. In its "Social Report 2005" issued this year, the corporate group writes that its companies may make contributions to political parties "solely for the purpose of influencing the debate on issues affecting the company or Group."
The code of conduct meticulously lists the individual target groups for contributions. Not only political parties are named as targets for contributions, but also organisations, their directors, elected politicians and candidates for political office. They emphasize that the contributions must be "where required by local law, placed on public record."
Further guidelines concerning the political party contributions: "Where appropriate, a Group company proposing a political donation should obtain an assurance from the recipient that it will not be used for his or her personal benefit or for the personal benefit of his or her family, friends, associates or acquaintances." It is notable that the "must" formulation is not used, but rather the "should," and that it is not always required, but rather only "where appropriate."
In the annual reports on political contributions published by the Bundestag, the name BAT does not appear. One can assume that BAT participated in the contributions of the Association of the Cigarette Industry. According to an analysis of these reports from 1997 to 2003 by Forum Rauchfrei, the tobacco industry is named as a contributor of over 317,000 Euros. Of this, the Association of the Cigarette Industry paid 53,400, Reemtsma 12,450, and the large remainder came from Philip Morris. The CDU/CSU coalition was the largest recipient, receiving 157,000 €, followed by the SPD with 114,000 € and the FDP with 46,000 €. The Greens and the PDS did not accept any contributions.
Johannes Spatz, spokesperson for Forum Rauchfrei, asks that the parties make the influence of the tobacco transparent. Especially now, with the debates about laws prohibiting tobacco advertising and smoking bans in public places and restaurants, it is important to know what influences the tobacco industry is exerting.
Spatz would like to know which contributions actually came from the tobacco industry since 2000 and to which persons and party subdivisions they were paid. It can be assumed that the obligation to report to the Bundestag is not taken very seriously. Thus, the analysis by Forum Rauchfrei of the years 1994 through 2003 found that for the years 1994 to 1996 there were no contributions at all listed from the tobacco industry.
Spatz requests a written declaration from politicians that they not accept any contributions from the tobacco industry. To this end they could sign the Forum Rauchfrei "Against Tobacco Industry Sponsoring" code. This code has already been accepted by about 50 organisations. In Berlin, for example, Dr. Knake-Werner for Gesundheit Berlin e.V., Dr. Jünitz for the Berlin Medical Council, Prof. Dr. Loddenkämper for the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and Dr. Ludescher for the Schlosspark Clinic have signed the code.
Unedited quote from "Political Contributions" in BAT "Social Report 2005":
"Subject to the controls set out on the right, Group companies may make contributions to political parties and organisations, their officers, elected politicians and candidates for elective office, provided that such payments are made solely for the purpose of influencing the debate on issues affecting the company or Group, and not to achieve any improper business or other advantage (such as to secure a government contract)."
For further information: Johannes Spatz; Tel.: 747559-22, 017624419964