Dozens of public health NGOs – including some lobbying hard against safer nicotine products – have been told they can no longer use EU funds to lobby Europe’s institutions.
Clearing the Air understands that the European Network for Smoking Prevention (ENSP) – which, despite the name, has been lobbying hard for vape bans at the EU level – were told in no uncertain terms that they can no longer use taxpayer funding provided by the EU to lobby for their preferred policies.
ENSP is a key part of the EU consortium responsible for drafting new restrictions for safer nicotine products. Its involvement in the project has been roundly criticised by the EU Ombudsman, who said that the Commission had failed to properly monitor conflicts of interest. ENSP was shown to have been lobbying the Commission’s health directorate on nicotine policy while taking part in the evaluation.
Back in April, NGOs received letters from the Commission’s Health and Digital Executive Agency – which is responsible for doling out the money – saying that their advocacy work is no longer eligible for funding because it “may entail a reputational risk” for the EU. From 2021-2023, the Agency disbursed €377 million to NGOs.
According to the EU’s Transparency Register, ENSP received around €440.000 in operating grants for the current financial year, making up over two thirds of its total budget. The Smoke Free Partnership, whose CEO took part in a policy event riddled with misinformation that was covered on Clearing the Air, got €278.000, over half its budget, last year. This year, it is slated to get over €400.000.
Sending letters, organizing meetings and providing advocacy material to specific EU institutions or officials — previously considered acceptable — can no longer be funded by the EU’s operating grants. “Identifying specific members or officials of an institution to evaluate or describe their positions, or to discuss specific political content or outcome,” has also been banned.
It’s important to note that the Commission isn’t banning NGOs from lobbying full stop: but it is preventing them from using EU funds to do so. Those that raise money for advocacy elsewhere can still lobby against safer nicotine products with that money while using EU cash for other activities.
