David Morris

David Morris has been the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Morecambe and Lunsdale (North West England) since May 2010.

Relationship with the Tobacco Industry

Accepted Tobacco Hospitality

In May 2014, Morris accepted two lots of hospitality from Japan Tobacco International (JTI), including:.¹

• two tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show worth £1,404; and
• a trip to JTI Lisnafillan factory in Northern Ireland, including flights and hotel which totalled £668.74.

For more details, see Tobacco Industry Hospitality for UK Politicians.

Co-Hosted Illicit Tobacco Event

In July 2017, Morris and fellow MPs Ian Paisley and Stephen Hepburn, co-hosted an anti-illicit tobacco event with JTI in a Dining Room at Parliament.²
The event was attended by several MPs, including John Whittingdale.
Attendees “were walked through how JTI helps to support UK law enforcement and Trading Standards in cracking down on illegal tobacco sales through the company’s test purchasing of goods across Britain, working with media to raise awareness, and assisting overseas authorities in Poland and other eastern European countries in tackling the illegal manufacture of cigarettes”.
The event presented JTI as the victim of illicit tobacco trade. This is contrary to evidence that shows that tobacco companies, including JTI, have facilitated the smuggling of their own products for decades. For more information, see Tobacco Smuggling and JTI Involvement in Smuggling.

TobaccoTactics Resources

• Japan Tobacco International
• Tobacco Industry Hospitality for UK Politicians
• Ian Paisley
• Stephen Hepburn

Relevant Link

Profile of David Morris on TheyWorkForYou website.