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Philip Morris accused of lobbying government amid £1bn Vectura takeover

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George Osborne has called for smoking to be gradually banned and sugary drinks to be taxed further
Messages encouraging smokers to quit could be added to the inside of cigarette packs under draft proposals being considered by the government.

Concerns continue to mount that tobacco giant Philip Morris International will use its £1bn takeover of inhaler company Vectura to lobby in the public health sector.

Fears that the move will legitimise the tobacco industry as an active player in the health sector have spiked after Philip Morris boss Jacek Olczak was accused of lobbying government over the deal.

Olczak wrote to business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in July, seeking a meeting to “talk more about our plans for PMI and Vectura’s operation in the UK”, the Times reported.

The letter, which was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, has sparked concerns that the buyout will be an attempt to legitimise tobacco giant’s in the health sector and undermine the World Health Organisations (WHO) rules on the influence of tobacco on health-related policy.

More to follow.