EU officials in hot water over big tobacco link

EU officials were guilty of maladministration because they failed to be “open” about meetings with tobacco company lobbyists, the European Ombudsman has found.

The role of big tobacco in shaping EU policies on smoking has long been suspect, with a commissioner being forced to resign two years ago, and revelations about close links between retired commission officials and the industry.

The UN convention on tobacco aims to “protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke”.