Hearing requested

Swiss officials have reportedly asked Moldovan authorities to give Philip Morris International (PMI) a voice in discussions around new tobacco legislation.

According to the Le Temps newspaper, diplomats from the Swiss embassy in Kiev—which also covers the country’s interests Moldova—lodged the request in July as politicians in the eastern European country were debating a strict new tobacco law.

PMI told Le Temps that they asked the Swiss embassy to push for “the possibility to contribute, like all other interested parties, to a public consultation about legislative proposals that would affect smokers and our business”.

The story comes just a few weeks after a public debate around PMI’ role in sponsoring the Swiss pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Following negative headlines and criticism by health organizations, the partnership was dropped.

PMI is headquartered in Switzerland.