Trade Associations
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Background
A trade association is an organisation founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific sector or industry.1 Trade associations promote the collective interests of their members, including attempting to influence policy discussions.
This page presents a selection of trade associations around the world, many with links to tobacco companies. In some cases, trade associations have supported tobacco industry positions, or lobbied on issues of interest to their members. Some have, or have had, industry personnel among their members, and/or in senior positions. Others have echoed industry arguments, while not publicly disclosing their members. Further information can be found on linked pages.
Trade Associations
Organisation, grouped by region |
Country |
|---|---|
Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists (AITS) |
UK |
| Founded in 1976, the Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists (AITS) is a trade body for independent tobacco retailers in the UK, specifically those selling Other Tobacco Products (OTPs) such as cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco and snuff.2 It provides legislative and business advice, stating it represents the tobacco retail sector when “lobbying government”.3 In 2024, AITS wrote to the UK government citing concern regarding the formation of the committee overseeing the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill. 4 The Bill was first introduced in 2023 and became law in 2026. AITS has been critical of extending plain packaging regulations to cigars. AITS operates the “Use Your Voice” campaign, which provided a tool kit to advocates against regulations on cigars and other products proposed in the Bill 56 The AITS website also features the SaveCigars campaign, launched in 2025, which states that it “works with industry leads, influencers and alike”.78 The campaign warns of the potential of plain packaging for the “immediate destruction” of the sector.7The site provides guidance notes for consultation responses and encourages retailers to inform consumers.78 The campaign’s founder is the owner and director of Elder Cigars, an online cigar retail platform (registered at Companies House in 2024).910 In 2017, AITS submitted evidence criticising the draft EU regulations of the EU Tobacco Products Directive, stating that EU traceability requirements would be unworkable for suppliers, and asking the UK government for concessions for the products sold by its members.11 British American Tobacco (BAT) has sponsored the AITS annual trade event, which included Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in 2026.1213 AITS’ annual trade conference, IGNITE, is an exhibition for tobacco retailers. Attendees include the Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council (ITPAC)14 (See below). |
|
Imported Tobacco Products Advisory Council (ITPAC) |
UK |
| ITPAC represents the interests of importers and distributors of tobacco products in the UK (18 as of 2026).15 The businesses of “Core” members focus on “low volume tobacco product ranges”, including OTPs – cigars, cigarillos, snuff and pipe tobacco.15 ITPAC is also an associate member of the European Smoking Tobacco Association, and the European Cigar Manufacturers Association (ESTA).1516 ITPAC does not have a website where it lists its members, but previous consultation responses have listed ITPAC’s associate members, which have included BAT, Imperial Brands, and JTI (Gallaher).17 ITPAC has previously lobbied against plain packaging in the UK. ITPAC has lobbied against the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which became law in 2026. It submitted written evidence in 2023.1819 It lobbied for increasing the age of sale for OTPs, instead of adopting a generational sales ban.19 It argued that these products are mainly used by adults and there is no evidence they contribute to youth smoking initiation or nicotine addiction.18 In March 2024, ITPAC wrote to business secretary Kemi Badenoch, complaining that the views of industry had been dismissed from the decision-making process,20 and said the government was going against “ the spirit of collaboration and inclusiveness”.21 A month later, Badenoch voted against the bill.20 At IGNITE 2025, Tatiana Camacho, Secretary-General of ITPAC, delivered a presentation on the UK bill, and promoted the AITS Use Your Voice Campaign.22 The Bill became law in 2026. ITPAC was listed on the EU Transparency register from 2010 to 2021, with its main lobbying activity being the “Transposition and implementation of the revised Tobacco Products Directive in the UK market.”23 |
|
Zwiazek Przedsiebiorcow I Pracadawcow |
Poland |
| One of Poland’s largest trade associations with more than 50,000 different companies. This organisation has lobbied for looser regulations for various industries, including tobacco. The association has advocated for the introduction of e-cigarettes and against tobacco control policies in Poland.24 | |
National Organization for Retail Trade (NORT) |
Ukraine |
| The president of this trade association, Bondariev Yurii Oleksandrovych, spent 16 years in senior positions at PMI Ukraine. The organisation has lobbied against tobacco control policies.25 It describes itself as a group seeking to lobby the government for better policies for business.26 | |
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) |
India |
| India’s largest cigarette company ITC Ltd is a Patron member of ASSOCHAM India and has a management committee seat. Tobacco company Godfrey Philips India is also a member. 27 ASSOCHAM joined the tobacco companies’ coordinated fight against larger pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs.28 One of numerous such articles based on ASSOCHAM statements. | |
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) |
India |
| The CII partnered with ITC, India’s biggest cigarette manufacturer, to create the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development in 2006. Domestic tobacco companies are members and ITC’s chief executive Sanjiv Puri chairs its advisory council. 29 The CII joined the industry’s fight against mandatory pictorial health warnings covering on cigarette packs. 30 | |
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) |
India |
| Cigarette manufacturers ITC and Godfrey Philips are associate members of FICCI, India’s largest and oldest business organisation. Two senior ITC staff sit on key committees.31FICCI has lobbied against “over-regulation” such as pictorial health warnings covering cigarette packs. It advocated for tobacco trade bodies and farmers to attend COP7. FICCI also co-wrote a 2017 KPMG report on illicit tobacco trade.32 | |
Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) |
Bangladesh |
| FBCCI is a business organisation which promotes private sector interests in Bangladesh. British American Tobacco‘s current chairman Golam Mainuddin 33 is one of FBCCI’s elected directors for the 2019-2020 term. FBCCI is a strategic partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. 34 | |
Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry |
Bangladesh |
| The Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) is a business network based in Bangladesh [note there is an Indian organisation with a similar name]. BAT Bangladesh, Philip Morris Bangladesh, and United Dhaka Tobacco Co are all listed as member organisations.35 Tobacco industry executives sit on the board of directors and several FICCI committees, including Neil Coupland of United Dhaka Tobacco Company LTD as Vice President. 3637 Former presidents also include BAT Bangladesh executive Shehzad Munim.38 The FICCI has opposed amendments to the 2005 tobacco control law, which included plans to eliminate smoking zones, and ban the sale of loose cigarettes.3940 | |
The U.S.-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC) |
Pakistan |
| USPBC was founded in 2002 as part of the Asia Programme of the US Chamber of Commerce. It states that it is “dedicated to the broad advancement of U.S commercial engagement in Pakistan”.4142 PMI Global Services Inc, a subsidiary of Philip Morris International (PMI), is a USPBC member, and PMI’s Vice President of External Affairs, J.B. Simko, sits on the USPBC board.43 In 2015, USPBC stated that “Investors value strong protection of intellectual property rights…the recent graphic health warning regulation which would significantly undermine the ability of brand owners to use their legally sanctioned trademarks, hurts business confidence”. UPPBC also encouraged a “reasonable tax structure” for businesses, to “enhance government revenue… [and] help American companies view Pakistan as a favorable destination”.44 | |
Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (COPARMEX) |
Mexico |
| COPARMEX is a business association with over 36,000 member companies. Philip Morris International included COPARMEX on the list of business associations in which it had held a leadership role during 2021.45 It has lobbied against tobacco control measures including a ban on the display and marketing of tobacco, arguing that this would violate free trade, increase illicit trade, and impact small businesses.46 It has also opposed restrictions relating to outdoor smoking spaces.47 | |
The National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA) |
Mexico |
| The Chamber has lobbied in favour of the tobacco industry’s interest in Mexico, for many years.48 A senior member of British American Tobacco in Mexico is the Chamber’s representative for alcohol, tobacco, food and beverage issues 49 | |
Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) |
Zambia |
| The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) lobby government on behalf of their members, including three major tobacco corporations, who “…have the opportunity to comment government’s plans in a very early stage and influence plans in their favour.” 50 They have partnered with the tobacco industry to oppose tobacco control measures and for corporate social responsibility campaigns in Zambia. 51 | |
Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) |
Global |
| CWEIC is the Commonwealth’s top business organisation and replaced the pro-tobacco Commonwealth Business Council in 2014. It is mandated by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade across 53 member countries. Lord Marland chairs its advisory council, which includes lobbyist Lynton Crosby whose firm has frequently worked for tobacco companies. 52 CWEIC “strategic partners” include India’s business associations CII and FICCI, and Bangladesh’s FBICCI, which all have tobacco executives on their boards or leadership committees.53 | |
International Chamber of Commerce |
Global |
| The ICC, a Paris-based organisation, was founded in 1919 and bills itself as the world’s largest business organisation. It regularly issues reports sympathetic to the tobacco industry, lobbied against plain packaging proposals and British American Tobacco (BAT), Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Philip Morris International (PMI) sit on its influential anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiative. | |
US Chamber of Commerce & American Chambers of Commerce Abroad |
Global |
| The US Chamber of Commerce, and its allied 117 American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) in 103 countries represent US business interests globally. The Chamber, which describes itself as “the world’s largest business organization”, counts tobacco corporations amongst its members and has opposed tobacco control measures across the globe. | |
Anti-Counterfeiting Group |
Global |
| Established by British American Tobacco (BAT), the group has grown to more than 150 industry members, including tobacco companies. It has lobbied against tobacco controls on plain packaging. |