More tobacco industry front groups and lobby groups have emerged, and they are vocal in the media, opposing tobacco control measures. A closer look behind some of these groups reveal they either receive funding, have business dealings, or collaborate with the tobacco industry.
Besides front groups and lobby groups, (Table 1) tobacco companies set up and use foundations through which to conduct their CSR activities in an attempt to give themselves acceptability to governments and buy public goodwill. TI builds good image to mobilize the public to take the industry side to counteract the policy development on tobacco control.
Table 1: Tobacco industry’s front groups and lobby groups in ASEAN[1]
| Country | Front groups and lobby groups (not an exhaustive list) | |
| Farmers groups | Regional | International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) |
| Indonesia | Indonesia Tobacco Farmers Association – Asosiasi Petani Tembakau Indonesia (APTI) | |
| Philippines | Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA) | |
| Thailand | Thai Tobacco Growers, Curers and Dealers Association Tobacco Farmer Association (TFA) | |
| Manufacturer Associations | Cambodia | Association of Tobacco Industry in Cambodia (ATIC) |
| Indonesia | Indonesia Tobacco Society Alliance – Aliansi Masyarakat Tembakau Indonesia (AMTI) | |
| Philippines | Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) | |
| Vietnam | Vietnam Tobacco Association (VTA) | |
| Retailer groups | Indonesia | Indonesian Forum of Tobacco Industry Community – Forum Masyarakat Industri Rokok Indonesia (FORMASI) |
| Malaysia | Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association | |
| Vietnam | Association of Vietnam Retailers (AVR) | |
| Business groups | Regional | US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) ASEAN Intellectual Property Association (AIPA) |
| Thailand | Thai Tobacco Trade Association (TTA) | |
| Vietnam | Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) | |
| Malaysia | Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA) | |
| Think tanks/ Legal | Malaysia | Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAs) |
| Lao PDR | Lao Law & Consultancy Group | |
| Tobacco company foundations | British American Tobacco | BAT Malaysia Foundation |
| Japan Tobacco Inc. | JTI Foundation | |
| Imperial Brands | Fundacion Altadis | |
| Philip Morris International | American Chamber Foundation Philippines Jaime Ongpin Foundation | |
| Fortune Tobacco Corp. | Tan Yan Kee Foundation | |
| Mighty Corporation | Wong Chu King Foundation | |
| PT HM Smapoerna | Putera Smapoerna Foundation | |
| PT Djarum | Djarum Foundation |
[1] Update April 2020