Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Penny Mordaunt criticised for role as British American Tobacco adviser

by April 11, 2025
April 11, 2025
Penny Mordaunt criticised for role as British American Tobacco adviser

Former Conservative cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt has come under fire after accepting a paid consultancy role with British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the world’s largest tobacco firms — a move described by critics as incompatible with public health responsibilities.

Mordaunt, who previously held ministerial roles in health, work, and disability, is now advising BAT’s newly formed Tobacco Harm Reduction Advisory Group, offering insight into regulatory strategy, stakeholder communications, and corporate transformation. Her appointment was disclosed in a letter to Acoba (Advisory Committee on Business Appointments), which oversees the post-government roles of former ministers and senior officials.

The committee approved the appointment with conditions, including a two-year lobbying ban and a prohibition on using privileged information gained in office.

However, her decision to take on the role has sparked widespread criticism, particularly given her abstention from voting on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which proposed a landmark generational ban on tobacco sales. The bill was a centrepiece of the government’s health reforms and had cross-party backing.

Hazel Cheeseman, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “Penny Mordaunt is joining a company that makes 80 per cent of its income from lethal combusted tobacco. While it talks up its approach to ‘harm reduction’, in countries where it can promote its cigarettes, it does. The British public do not trust tobacco companies — and I doubt they will be impressed by a former politician providing it highly-paid advice.”

Phil Chamberlain, deputy director of the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath, warned the appointment undermines global tobacco control efforts.

“Twenty-one years ago the UK signed up to international regulations designed to keep the tobacco industry out of policymaking. Appointments such as this go against the spirit of those rules. Penny Mordaunt should put public health first and step down from this role.”

While it’s not unusual for former ministers to take on private sector roles, appointments involving the tobacco industry have become increasingly rare amid tightening global regulation and public health scrutiny. Former Chancellor Ken Clarke served as deputy chair of BAT during the 1990s, but such affiliations are now widely seen as politically toxic.

BAT, headquartered in London, generated £25.9 billion in revenue last year, with 80% coming from combustible products. While the firm is expanding its non-combustible portfolio — including the Vuse vape brand — critics argue this shift masks continued efforts to grow cigarette sales in less regulated markets.

A BAT spokesperson said it respects Acoba’s rules and is committed to harm reduction through innovation and science.

Mordaunt, who also serves as president of Portsmouth Hospitals League of Friends, has not yet commented publicly on her appointment. Her acceptance of the role comes as the tobacco industry remains one of the most heavily scrutinised sectors in global business.

Read more:
Penny Mordaunt criticised for role as British American Tobacco adviser

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
General who helped Trump decimate ISIS terrorists in first term confirmed as Joint Chiefs chairman
next post
Conservatives launch major business policy drive as party pledges to be ‘open for business’

You may also like

Six pioneering AI and data projects hailed for...

July 7, 2025

When Labels Fail: What a €400 Million Fraud...

June 25, 2025

Mastering trading strategies for successful trades

March 3, 2025

Court to decide if Elliott-owned firm can enforce...

February 4, 2025

eBay Waives Fees for Second-Hand Clothing Sales to...

April 9, 2024

Where next? How these five industries will shape...

September 18, 2023

Businesses losing trust in HMRC as service standards...

October 15, 2024

Tax relief system needs overhaul to prevent abuse,...

July 26, 2023

TikTok launches SME council to elevate small business...

June 4, 2025

Recession Concerns Ease as Economic Growth Diversifies Across...

March 18, 2024

Six pioneering AI and data projects hailed for...

July 7, 2025

When Labels Fail: What a €400 Million Fraud...

June 25, 2025

Mastering trading strategies for successful trades

March 3, 2025

Court to decide if Elliott-owned firm can enforce...

February 4, 2025

eBay Waives Fees for Second-Hand Clothing Sales to...

April 9, 2024

Where next? How these five industries will shape...

September 18, 2023

Businesses losing trust in HMRC as service standards...

October 15, 2024

Tax relief system needs overhaul to prevent abuse,...

July 26, 2023

TikTok launches SME council to elevate small business...

June 4, 2025

Recession Concerns Ease as Economic Growth Diversifies Across...

March 18, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Trump taps Sean Duffy to serve as interim NASA chief

      July 10, 2025
    • Rapidrop secures multi-million pound investment from BGF to fire up international expansion

      July 10, 2025
    • Watchdog backs Rubio’s sanctions on UN official over ‘shameful efforts’ targeting US, Israel

      July 10, 2025
    • Seizing AI’s Trillion Dollar Cyber Opportunity

      July 9, 2025
    • Biden doctor pleads the Fifth in speedy House closed-door interview

      July 9, 2025
    • The Seasonality Trend Driving XLK and XLI to New Highs

      July 9, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,430)
    • Investing (2,112)
    • Politics (15,988)
    • Stocks (3,197)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved