Editing Imperial Brands

Imperial Tobacco Group is a British company. It is the fifth largest company participating in the global tobacco market and controls 3.7 percent of the international cigarette market. <ref> Euromonitor International [database on the Internet]. Cigarettes. Euromonitor International; c 2018. </ref> Imperial operates in more than 160 markets, and key growth markets are in Italy, Russia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. {{r|IB_2017_AR}} <ref>Imperial Brands. About Us. 2018. Available from: www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us.html.</ref>  Top brands include West, Davidoff, John Player Special, and Gauloises. <ref> Euromonitor International [database on the Internet]. Cigarettes. Euromonitor International; c 2018. </ref>  In 2016, Imperial Tobacco was the world’s fifth-largest international cigarette company based on market share. <ref name="IB_Statista">Statista, [https://www.statista.com/topics/3221/imperial-brands-plc/ Imperial Brands - Statistics & Facts], Accessed 16 September 2018 </ref>   

Imperial Brands is a FTSE 100 company headquartered in Bristol in the United Kingdom. Imperial Brands consists of five distinct entities: Imperial Tobacco, Tabacalera, ITG Brands, Fontem Ventures and Logista. <ref name="IB_TransparencyRegister"> Transparency Register, [http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=71175716023-03 Imperial Brands PLC], Accessed 16 September 2018 </REF>  

|Alison Cooper, BSC, ACA

|Since being appointed as Chief Executive Alison has led the development and implementation of the Group’s sustainable sales growth strategy. Alison joined the Group in 1999 and, through a number of senior roles, has contributed significantly to the international expansion of the Group.

Appointed Director in July 2007. Appointed Chief Executive in May 2010.

None.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Oliver Tant, BSC, CA (SCOTLAND)

|Oliver held a number of senior positions in a 32-year career at KPMG, including Global Managing Director Financial Advisory and Private Equity Division and Head of UK Audit. He was also a member of both the UK and German boards of KPMG. He brings to Imperial international experience in change management, organizational restructuring, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions.

Appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2013 and became Chief Financial Officer in November 2013.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Matthew Phillips, LLB

|Chief Development Officer

|Matthew held a number of senior roles prior to his appointment to the Board as Corporate Affairs Director in June 2012 and has been integral to the development and implementation of the Group's strategy. In his current role he is responsible for Next Generation Product innovation, product science, smokeless tobacco, corporate development and corporate and legal affairs.

Appointed Director in June 2012. Appointed Chief Development Officer, June 2015.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Dominic Brisby

|Division Director, Growth

|Dominic leads the Growth Division, which includes selected markets in the EU, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and also incorporates the USA and Premium Cigar Division. He previously led the Returns Division. Prior to becoming a Division Director in 2013, Dominic held a number of international general management roles at Imperial and has been responsible for businesses in the Czech Republic, Poland and Iberia. Appointed Growth Division Director in November 2017.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Richard Hill

|Group Commercial Director, Vapour

|Richard has 30 years of international experience in consumer goods and banking. After an early career leading sales & marketing teams in Europe, he performed global CFO roles in both Allied Domecq and Standard Chartered. He was President and CEO of SC First Bank, South Korea’s largest foreign investor and has held several public non-executive board positions. In his current role he leads the Fontem Ventures Amsterdam team, which is focused on the development of vapour commercial strategies and branding. Richard was appointed to his current role in April 2018. He previously headed up Group Transformation and HR, having joined Imperial in October 2016. {{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Amal Pramanik

|Group Strategy Director

|Amal is a qualified executive coach and has mentored senior managers across the world on a variety of operational and leadership themes. His role includes overall responsibility for Group Transformation and HR. Appointed as Strategy Director in November 2017 having joined the Operating Executive in 2016.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Walter Prinz

|Walter has overall responsibility for all tobacco and Next Generation Product manufacturing and supply chain operations. He joined Reemtsma in 1987 and has held a number of senior roles. Prior to his appointment to the Operating Executive, Walter was Director of Product Development and Purchasing. Appointed Group Manufacturing, Research & Development Director in October 2010, taking on additional responsibility for Supply Chain in October 2014.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

In January 2019, Morgan Lee was appointed as the group’s market manager for Ireland. <ref> [https://www.checkout.ie/imperial-tobacco-john-player-announce-new-market-manager-ireland/69227 Imperial Tobacco John Player Announce New Market Manager For Ireland], ''Checkout'', 2 January 2019, Accessed 21 January 2019 </ref>

|Mark Williamson, CA (SA)

|Mark was Chief Financial Officer of International Power plc until 2012 and is experienced in managing relationships with the investor and financial communities. He is also a former Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Alent plc. He joined the Board in July 2007 and was appointed Senior Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2012. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Chairman of the Board in January 2013 before being made Chairman in February 2014.

Chairman of the Succession and Nominations Committee.

Chairman of Spectris plc; Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of National Grid plc. {{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Since being appointed as Chief Executive Alison has led the development and implementation of the Group’s sustainable sales growth strategy. Alison joined the Group in 1999 and, through a number of senior roles, has contributed significantly to the international expansion of the Group. Appointed Director in July 2007. Appointed Chief Executive in May 2010. {{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Oliver held a number of senior positions in a 32-year career at KPMG, including Global Managing Director Financial Advisory and Private Equity Division and Head of UK Audit. He was also a member of both the UK and German boards of KPMG. He brings to Imperial international experience in change management, organizational restructuring, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2013 and became Chief Financial Officer in November 2013.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Therese Esperdy

|Non-Executive Director

|Therese has significant international investment banking experience having held a number of roles at JP Morgan including Global Chairman of JP Morgan’s Financial Institutions Group, Co-Head of Asia-Pacific Corporate & Investment Banking, Global Head of Debt Capital Markets, and Head of US Debt Capital Markets. She began her career at Lehman Brothers and joined Chase Securities in 1997 prior to the firm's merger with JP Morgan in 2000. Appointed Non-Executive Director in July 2016.

 

''Committee Membership:''

Member of the Audit Committee and the Succession & Nominations Committee.

Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of National Grid Plc.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Steven Stanbrook

|Steven brings considerable international executive experience to the Board, gained in a number of FMCG companies. This includes 18 years at SC Johnson & Son Inc., most recently as Chief Operating Officer, where he was responsible for managing their international operations.

 

Steven is a partner of Wind Point Partners and a Director of both Autism Speaks and The Vollrath Company, LLC. Previously he held senior positions at Sara Lee Corporation, including as Chief Executive Officer of Sara Lee Bakery and at CompuServe Corp. He is also a former Non-Executive Director of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and Hewitt Associates. Appointed Non-Executive Director in February 2016

 

Member of the Remuneration Committee and the Succession & Nominations Committee.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

|Karen Witts, FCA

|Non-Executive Director

|Karen brings significant financial and management expertise to the Board. She is currently Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Kingfisher plc and was previously Chief Financial Officer of the Africa, Middle East, Asia and Asia Pacific Region, at Vodafone plc. Prior to that, Karen held a number of senior positions at BT, including Chief Financial Officer of BT Retail and Managing Director Operations Openreach. Appointed Non-Executive Director in February 2014 and Chairman of the Audit Committee in February 2017.

Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Succession and Nominations Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Kingfisher plc.{{r|IB_WEB_LEADERSHIP}}

 

 

|John Downing, MA, SOLICITOR

====Incorporated Subsidiaries (overseas, partly owned)====

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 30%;" | Subsidiary Name {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=137-140}}

! style="font-weight:bold;" | Country {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=137-140}}

! style="font-weight:bold;" | Principal activity {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=137-140}}

! style="font-weight:bold;" | Registered address {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=137-140}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 10%;" | Interest amount (percent) {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=137-140}}

! style="font-weight:bold;" | Subsidiary Name {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=130-131}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 35%;" |Principal activity {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=130-131}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 30%;" |Registered address {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=130-131}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 35%;" |Subsidiary Name{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=131-137}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 15%;" |Country{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=131-137}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 30%;" |Principal activity{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=131-137}}

! style="font-weight:bold; width: 25%;" |Registered address{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=131-137}}

===Forecast===

 

Imperial Brands is raising GBP 2 billion through asset sales and has adopted a more flexible dividend policy. <ref> [https://www.nasdaq.com/article/investors-can-give-imperial-brands-a-bit-more-time-20190820-00141 Investors can give Imperial Brands a bit more time], ''Nasdaq'', 20 August 2019, Accessed 12 September 2019 </ref>

In September 2018, Reuters reported Imperial Brands expects alternatives to smoking such as vaping pens and a heated tobacco device to add up to 1.5 billion pounds to its revenues by 2020. Imperial has estimated the e-cigarette market could exceed USD 30 billion by 2020, up from around USD 4 billion now. <ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-imperial-brands-strategy/imperial-brands-eyes-2-billion-boost-from-vaping-products-idUSKCN1M50ZP Imperial Brands eyes $2 billion boost from vaping products], ''Reuters'', September 2018, Accessed 30 November 2018 </ref>

==Profitability==

===Annual Trends===

! style="text-align: center;" | 2017 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91}}

! style="text-align: center;" | 2016 {{r|IB_2016_AR|p=90}}

! style="text-align: center;" | 2015 {{r|IB_2015_AR|p=85}}

| Adjusted operating profit

===Profits Per Reportable Segments===

! style="text-align: center;" | 2017 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91-92}}

! style="text-align: center;" | 2017 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91-92}}

! style="text-align: center;" | 2017 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91-92}}

! style="text-align: center;" | 2017 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91-92}}

| Nerudia acquired by Imperial Brands <ref name =”IB_Crunchbase”> Crunchbase, [https://www.crunchbase.com/search/acquisitions/field/organizations/num_acquisitions/imperial-tobacco List of Imperial Brands's 5 acquisitions, including Nerudia and Barjan - Mistic Electronic Cigarettes Brand], Accessed 30 September 2018 </ref>

| Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC <ref name="IB_MarketScreener"> Market Screener, [https://www.marketscreener.com/IMPERIAL-BRANDS-9590191/company/ Imperial Brands], Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

Imperial Brands has recently invested in a cannabis-focused biotech company that is researching how compounds in cannabis can be turned into medicine. <ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/big-tobacco-pot-weed-cannabis-industry-727407/ Big Tobacco Is Already Eyeing Pot], ''The Rolling Stone'', September 2018, Accessed 28 October 2018</ref> Imperial Brands signed a CAD 123-million investment deal with Auxly Cannabis Group that includes a research and development partnership. <ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/auxly-cannabis-deal-with-tobacco-giant-imperial-brands-1.5224955 Auxly cannabis deal with tobacco giant imperial brands], ''CBC'', 25 July 2019, Accessed 9 August 2019 </ref>

 

Tobacco companies have received more than GBP 45 million investment from the United Kingdom's Lincolnshire County Council’s pension fund. The current investment (as of January 2019) for Imperial Brands sits at GBP 4.6 million. <ref>[https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/county-council-invests-45-million-of-its-pension-fund-in-tobacco-companies-9058351/ Lincolnshire County Council invests £45 million from pension fund in tobacco companies], ''Grantham Reporter'', January 5, 2019, Accessed 18 January 2019 </ref>

In 2017, Imperial Tobacco grew market share in Russia {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=17}} and Poland {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=18}}.

Growth or Emerging Markets are mainly large profit or volume pools where Imperial Market typically have market shares below 15 percent and where the total tobacco approach provides many opportunities for share and profit growth both now and in the future.{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91}}

Growth Markets include: Iraq, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan (also includes premium cigar and Fontem Ventures){{r|IB_2017_AR|p=91}}

Imperial Tobacco Group met with Reidsville tobacco manufacturing facility employees in November 2018 to discuss plans to move operations to its Greensboro manufacturing facility. The tobacco company says all of its cigarette production will shift to the company's Greensboro facility by 2020. <ref>[https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/money/business/itg-brands-to-cut-117-jobs-100-year-old-reidsville-plant-to-close-in-2020/83-610371157 ITG Brands to Cut 117 Jobs; 100-Year-Old Reidsville Plant to Close in 2020], ''WFMY NEWS2'', November 2018, Accessed 19 November 2018</ref>

 

===Dividends===

Table below provides review of dividend payment history since 2014:

! Amount (in p)

|-

| 89.3<ref name="IB_WEB_DIVIDENDS"> Imperial Brands Plc, [http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/Investors/Shareholder-centre/Dividends-history.html Dividend History], Accessed 14 October 2018 </ref>

| 49.1{{r|IB_WEB_DIVIDENDS}}

| 49.1p{{r|IB_WEB_DIVIDENDS}}

|-

|-

|-

| 31-Mar-17

|-

|-

|-

|-

 

The company’s tobacco portfolio offers a range of papers and cigars, fine cut, smokeless tobaccos and cigarettes. Through their subsidiary Fontem Ventures, Imperial Brands is also strengthening their range of tobacco free smoking products, including the e-vapour brand blu. The tobacco brands of Imperial Brands are sold in 160 countries worldwide, including the United States where it has a market share of six percent with their ITG brands: Maverick, Winston and Kool, where each of them accounts for some two percent respectively. The share of the company’s revenue in the United States accounted for some 20.6 percent in 2016, amounting to about 1.5 billion USD in that year. {{r|IB_Statista}}

 

In 2017, the company's Growth Brands (Davidoff, Gauloises Blondes, JPS, West, Fine, News, Winston, Bastos, Lambert & Butler and Parker & Simpson) accounted for approximately 60.2 percent of Imperial Brands' Group sales volumes. {{r|IB_Statista}}

 

'''Growth Brands''' <ref name="IB_Brands">Imperial Brands Plc, [http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Brand-portfolio.html Brand Portfolio], Accessed 18 September 2018</REF>

*Davidoff

*Gauloises

*P&S

*News

*JSP

A press release sent out on October 3 2018 by ResearchandMarkets.com noted Imperial Brands, in partnership with China National Tobacco, established a joint venture, Global Horizon Ventures Limited (GHVL) focused on long-term earnings potential and competitive position in the growing smokeless tobacco market. <ref> [https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181003005355/en/Snus-Worldwide-Market-Growth-Trends-Forecasts-2023 Snus: Worldwide Market Growth, Trends and Forecasts to 2023 featuring British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, V2 Tobacco, Swedish Match, Gajane, and many more - ResearchAndMarkets.com], Business Wire, October 2018, Accessed 18 October 2018 </ref>

In Summer 2018, Imperial launched a product called myblu, in reaction Juul's entry into the US market. <ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-imperial-brands-strategy/imperial-brands-eyes-2-billion-boost-from-vaping-products-idUSKCN1M50ZP Imperial Brands eyes $2 billion boost from vaping products], ''Reuters'', September 2018, Accessed 16 October 2018 </ref>

A 2014 report by [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england Public Health England] revealed that Imperial-owned cigarettes are sold in Lloyds and Boots pharmacies around the United Kingdom. This is against the advice of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. In 2014, Lloyds Pharmacy began selling Vype and Boots pharmacies began selling Puritane, the e-cigarette brand owned by Imperial tobacco’s subsidiary [http://www.fontemventures.com/ Fontem]. <ref> Public Health England, [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/311491/Ecigarette_uptake_and_marketing.pdf E-cigarette uptake and marketing A report commissioned by Public Health England], May 2014, Accessed 19 October 2018 </ref>

| 265.2 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=15}}

| 159.6 {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=8}}

| Growth Brands Volume (percent)

| 60.2

| 54.7

===Global Campaigns===

A 2018 investigations uncovered social media advertising campaigns from Imperial Brands reaching millions online, including in the United States. <ref> TakeAPart, [https://www.takeapart.org/campaigns/advertising-on-social-media/united-states/imperial-brands/ How Imperial Brands advertises on social media], Accessed 21 October 2018 </ref>

In 2014, an Imperial Tobacco ad campaign promoting a free-to-download app listing smoking-friendly bars and venues has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for "normalising" and "condoning" smoking. Imperial Tobacco ran a series of poster ads under the name Smoke Spots, with no indication on the ads that the free app was provided by Imperial Tobacco. <ref>[https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/imperial-tobacco-ads-smoking-app-banned-asa/1321497 Imperial Tobacco ads for smoking app banned by ASA], Campaign Live, November 2014, Accessed 23 October 2018 </ref>

In 2015, World Bank pulled out of the 12th Annual Asia Pacific Tax Forum, which was to be co-organized by a consortium funded by several transnational tobacco companies, including Imperial. <ref> [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/World-Bank-exits-event-funded-by-tobacco-companies/articleshow/47127313.cms World Bank exits event funded by tobacco companies], ''Times of India'', 2 May 2015, Accessed 28 October 2018 </ref>

===Corporate Social Responsibility===

In May 2014, Guardian reported Imperial Tobacco Group was amongst the companies purchasing tobacco grown in the United States. According to Guardian, these companies current approaches 'did not sufficiently protect children from hazardous work and some companies allow for lower standards of protection for children in their US supply chain than for children working on tobacco farms in other countries'.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/14/tobacco-farm-child-labor-laws Cigarette makers can't market to kids. Why do tobacco farms employ them?], ''Guardian'', May 2014, Accessed 27 September 2018 </ref>

 

Imperial is a board member of the Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco Growing Foundation (ECLT). <ref> ILO, [https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_545944.pdf ILO cooperation with the tobacco industry in the pursuit of the Organization’s social mandate], November 2017, p. 3, Accessed 30 September 2018 </ref> A report published in April 2018 by Human Rights Watch said there was widespread child labour in tobacco farms in Zimbabwe, where multinationals including Imperial buy tobacco. <ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/25/tobacco-companies-child-labour-pressure Tobacco: activist investors pressure £20bn companies over child labour],''Guardian'', June 2018, Accessed 19 October 2018</ref> The ECLT Board members include: International Tobacco Growers Association; Alliance One International; Altria Client Services; [[British American Tobacco]]; Contrax-Nicotex Tobacco; Hail & Cotton; Imperial Tobacco Group; [[Japan Tobacco International]]; [[Philip Morris International]]; Premium Tobacco; Scandinavian Tobacco Group; Sunel Ticaret Turk; Swedish Match; and Universal Leaf Tobacco. <ref> ILO, [https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_545944.pdf ILO cooperation with the tobacco industry in the pursuit of the Organization’s social mandate], November 2017, p. 3, Accessed 22 September 2018 </ref> The partnership has been ongoing since 2002 and seeks to eliminate child labour and promote workers’ rights in tobacco-growing communities in Brazil, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. <ref> [https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/international-geneva_should-the-ilo-maintain-financial-ties-to-the-tobacco-industry-/44506474 Should the ILO maintain financial ties to the tobacco industry?], ''Swiss Info'', October 2018, Accessed 24 September 2018 </REF>  

In 2015, Imperial Tobacco contributed GBP 57,000 to help tackle the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. <ref> Tobacco Reporter, [https://www.tobaccoreporter.com/2015/01/imperial-provides-more-funds-to-help-fight-ebola/ Imperial provides more funds to help fight Ebola], 6 January 2015, Accessed 23 December 2018 </ref>

Academic resource [http://www.tobaccotactics.org/index.php?title=Main_Page Tobacco Tactics] provides an extensive overview of Imperial's 2014 Love Where You Live campaign [http://www.tobaccotactics.org/index.php?title=CSR:_Imperial_and_Love_Where_You_Live here]. <ref> Tobacco Tactics, [http://www.tobaccotactics.org/index.php?title=CSR:_Imperial_and_Love_Where_You_Live CSR: Imperial and Love Where You Live, Accessed 21 September 2018 </ref>

In 2014, Imperial Tobacco Poland was presented with an award from the country's Business Centre Club, recognizing the significant contribution it makes to the nation’s economy. <ref> Tobacco Reporter, [https://www.tobaccoreporter.com/2014/10/poland-recognizes-imperials-contribution/ Poland recognizes Imperial’s contribution], 30 October 2014, Accessed 30 December 2018 </ref>

The PETA International Science Consortium Ltd., Imperial Brands PLC, Altria Client Services, British American Tobacco (BAT) PLC, and Philip Morris International Inc have joined together to donate USD 110,000 worth of equipment that will help to replace the use of animals in respiratory testing with more human-relevant, non-animal test methods. <ref> PETA website, [https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/peta-international-science-group-and-tobacco-companies-donate-to-save-animals/ Media], 22 August 2019, Accessed 12 September 2019 </ref>

Imperial Tobacco was one of the sponsors of the 2018 Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Conference was held in November 2018under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri, Lebanese President of the Council of Ministers, in Beirut, Lebanon. <ref>[https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/more-than-400-delegates-expected-at-meadfa-2018-in-beirut-this-november/ More than 400 delegates expected at MEADFA 2018 in Beirut this November], ''The Moodie Davitt Report'', October 2018, Accessed 31 October 2018</ref>

===Marketing to Kids===

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids investigation into over 100 social media campaigns by [[Philip Morris International]], [[British American Tobacco]], [[Japan Tobacco International]] and Imperial Brands revealed tobacco companies pay social media influencers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to advertise their products. <ref>Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, [https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/press-releases/2018_08_27_ftc PRESS RELEASE New Investigation Exposes How Tobacco Companies Market Cigarettes on Social Media in the U.S. and Around the World],August 2018, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

An investigation exposing how tobacco companies market cigarettes on social media around the world revealed Imperial Tobacco products were seen near schools in 22 countries in a smaller number. Despite the findings a spokesman for Imperial Brands said to company ensures:

  "that our product and brand communications are not aimed at, or made appealing to, people under the age of 18 or non-smokers, and that we operate in accordance with local laws”. <ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/09/how-children-around-the-world-are-exposed-to-cigarette-advertising How children around the world are exposed to cigarette advertising], ''Guardian'', March 2018, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

In the United States, investigations into Imperial Brands’ efforts to market to kids have uncovered an explosion of sweet flavored tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes and cigars. <ref>TakeAPart, [https://www.takeapart.org/campaigns/marketing-to-kids/united-states/imperial-brands/ How Imperial Brands Markets Products to Kids], Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

| Democrats <ref name="IB_OpenSecrets">  Open Secrets, [https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000043289&cycle=2016 Imperial Tobacco Group], Accessed 27 October 2018 </ref>

==Investigations==

New Zealand MPs are questioning Imperial Brand’s claim that they are not targeting new customers. In an inquiry into smoking in cars, MPs on the Health Select Committee questioned the company's integrity, after an Imperial Brands representative said the company is only looking to transition current smokers to vape products, claiming they are only concerned with "people who have tried absolutely everything and cannot quit." One MP pointed out that the company's website states tobacco maximisation as a core part of its strategy, seemingly contradicting the Imperial Brands’ representative’s claim. <ref> [https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/i-m-confused-mps-question-tobacco-firm-imperial-brands-anti-smoking-goals.html 'I'm confused': MPs question tobacco firm Imperial Brands' anti-smoking motivation], Newshub, 28 August 2019, 12 September 2019 </ref>

According to the 2017 annual report, no tobacco litigation claim brought against the Imperial Group has been successful and/or resulted in the recovery of damages.{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=27}}  

In February 2018, Dutch prosecutors rejected attempted murder case brought against the world's largest tobacco [[Philip Morris International]], [[British American Tobacco]], [[Japan Tobacco International]] and Imperial Tobacco by mother with lung cancer. <ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/smoking-netherlands-attempted-murder-case-philip-morris-british-american-tobacco-benedicte-ficq-lung-a8223381.html Dutch prosecutors reject attempted murder case brought against tobacco giants by mother with lung cancer], ''The Independent'', February 2018, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>  

| Imperial Tobacco is currently facing two claims in Italy. The first is against Logista, which is the subject of a challenge on grounds of jurisdiction and the admission of evidence. This challenge was heard in 2006 but judgment is still awaited. The second claim has been brought in the Court of Messina against Imperial Tobacco Italia and Reemtsma by two individuals claiming EUR800,000 in total. We have denied liability. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}   

Société Marocaine des Tabacs. The total amount of compensation sought was not specified. On 9 February 2016, the Casablanca Court found in favour of SMT and dismissed the claim. No appeal has been filed. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}  

| Imperial Tobacco subsidiary, Société Nationale d’Exploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes SAS (SEITA), has been notified of a claim filed in the Court of Buenos Aires against Nobleza Piccardo by an individual smoker. Nobleza Piccardo has denied liability. Nobleza Piccardo manufactures and distributes two brands of cigarettes owned by SEITA in Argentina under the terms of a Licence Agreement. Nobleza Piccardo has sought to invoke an indemnity contained in the Licence Agreement, pursuant to which SEITA is responsible for any product liability to third parties. The amount claimed is ARS 8,980,200. The claim is currently in the evidence production period, during which all expert and witness evidence will be produced. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}  

| In August 2016, a claim was filed in the Russian Court against 18 tobacco companies including JSC Imperial Tobacco Yaroslavl by an individual claiming RUB 523,480,297 and other amounts related to the profits of the defendants. Imperial was notified of the claim by the Russian Court in February 2017. The claim was dismissed in full at a hearing in April 2017. The claimant appealed the decision. The appeal was heard on 18 July 2017 by Moscow Court’s Judicial Panel for Civil Cases. The appeal was dismissed in full and the claimant has until 18 January 2018 to appeal the decision. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}  

| Reports in the public media indicate that a complaint has been lodged with the Public Prosecutor in the Netherlands directed at the four major tobacco manufacturers, including Imperial Tobacco Benelux. Neither Imperial Tobacco Benelux nor any of its employees has been charged by the Public Prosecutor in the Netherlands, but we are monitoring developments. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}  

Regional Court in Poznań by an individual claiming PLN 1,000,000 by way of compensation for alleged smoking related health effects. Imperial Polska has not yet filed a Statement of Defence but it intends to deny liability. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}  

| A number of smoking and health-related claims have been brought against Imperial Tobacco Group Brands in the state courts. Imperial Tobacco Group Brands has the benefit of an indemnity from another manufacturer in respect of each of these claims. As a result, ITG Brands either has been dismissed, or is expected to be dismissed, without prejudice from each of the claims.{{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}

|Imperial Tobacco is currently defending one e-vapour-related claim in the USA. This is a consolidation of two purported class actions (Diek and Whitney) seeking to recover unquantified damages, including punitive damages. A claim that had been brought by the Center for Environmental Health alleging violations of the California Safe Drinking and Toxic Enforcement Act ended. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=50}}

In 2015, tobacco companies including [[Philip Morris International]], [[British American Tobacco]], [[Japan Tobacco International]] and Imperial Tobacco Group took the British government to court on Thursday, arguing that the UK’s “plain packaging” law, unlawfully takes away its intellectual property. <ref> [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-uk-tobacco-idUSKBN0TT1H820151210#QIEUq9UE2w3FzHLv.99 Big Tobacco takes UK government to court over plain packaging], ''Reuters'', 10 December 2015, Accessed 18 December 2018 </ref>

Imperial Brands (majority share owner of Lao Tobacco Company) and Lao-China Hongta Good Luck Company Ltd.,violated the law by not printing pictorial health warnings on their cigarette packs. These two companies control over 80 percent of the cigarette market in Lao PDR. <ref> Tobacco Watch, [https://tobaccowatch.seatca.org/index.php/2018/02/11/lao-tobacco-companies-disregard-tobacco-control-law/ Lao: Tobacco Companies Disregard Tobacco Control Law], 10 February 2018, Accessed 5 December 2018 </ref>

*The implementation of Directive 2014/40/EU on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture , presentation, and sale of tobacco and related products. {{r|IB_TransparencyRegister}}  

The organization employs three part-time and four full-time lobbyists. The European Union Register lists the following employees:  

{| class="wikitable"

! style="font-weight:bold;width=10%" |Name

! style="font-weight:bold;width=10%" |Contract Status

! style="font-weight:bold;width=20%" |Start Date

! style="font-weight:bold;width=30%" |End Date

|Valerio Forconi {{r|IB_TransparencyRegister}}

|Active

|30 November 2018

|30 November 2018

|Dreis Maebe {{r|IB_TransparencyRegister}}

|Active

|30 November 2018

|30 November 2018

|Justyna Smok-Chayn {{r|IB_TransparencyRegister}}

|Active

|13 March 2019

|31 March 2020

*Confederation of EC Cigarette Manufacturers (CECCM)

In 2017, Fontem Ventures, affiliated with Imperial Tobacco used the services of Aspect Consulting for lobbying in Brussels <ref>Transparency Register, [http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=15392729381-19 Aspect Consulting], Accessed 17 October 2018 </ref> and Blue Star Strategies globally. <ref>Blue Star Strategies, [http://www.bluestarstrategies.com/about/our-clients Our Clients], Accessed 29 October 2018 </ref>

The website TobaccoTactics, offers [http://www.tobaccotactics.org/index.php?title=Imperial_Tobacco an updated list] of organizations Imperial Tobacco was a member or supporter of in 2017. The [https://oepav.at/ Austrian Public Affairs Association] website lists Hanna Friedl and Jared Wiener from Imperial Tobacco Austria as members. <ref>Austrian Public Affairs Association website, [https://oepav.at/en/members/ Members], Accessed 30 November 2018 </ref>

Imperial Tobacco is a Gold member of the [https://www.scottishshop.org.uk Scottish Grocers Federation], a front group 'promoting responsible community retailing by lobbying, communication, networking and advice.' As of 2018, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International were both listed as members on the organization's website. <ref> Scottish Grocers, [Federationhttps://www.scottishshop.org.uk/about/corporate-members-sgf Corporate Members], Accessed 29 December 2018 </ref>

===Politics===

Scottish National Party accepted conference fees from [[Japan Tobacco International]] and Imperial Tobacco. Both companies were at the SNP Party Conference after buying "business day" passes advertised at GBP 1,750 each. <ref> [https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16981736.snp-in-row-over-conference-fees-from-tobacco-giants/ SNP in row over conference fees from tobacco giants], ''The Herald'', October 2018, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

In 2010, European Commission announced a multi-year agreement with Imperial Tobacco to work together in tackling the illicit trade in tobacco products. Under the legally binding agreement, ITL will work with the European Commission, its anti-fraud office OLAF, and Member States’ law enforcement authorities to help in the fight against contraband and counterfeit cigarettes. The Agreement included a USD 300 million contribution (over the next 20 years) by Imperial Tobacco. <ref>European Commission EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE, [https://ec.europa.eu/anti-fraud/investigations/eu-revenue/imperial_tobacco_en Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) 2010], Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

===Consultancies, Banking and Finance===

! style="font-weight:bold;width=10%" |Contract Status

! style="font-weight:bold;width=20%" |Notes

! style="font-weight:bold;width=30%" |Notable Clients

|[https://www.pwc.com/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP] (PwC) (2017)

|PwC are Imperial Tobacco's auditors. {{r|IB_2017_AR|p=43,71}}

*Bank of America

<ref>Big 4 Accounting Firms, [https://big4accountingfirms.com/pwc-audit-clients-list/ PwC Clients], Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

|[https://home.kpmg.com/uk/en/home.html KPMG] (2017)

|KPMG LLP UK prepared a report on Illicit tobacco in New Zealand for Imperial Tobacco New Zealand Limited.<ref>[https://home.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/uk/pdf/2018/07/new_zealand_Illicit_trade_in_tobacco.pdf Illicit tobacco in New Zealand 2017 Full Year Report] KPMG, May 2018, p. 2, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

A KPMG conducted a study for British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Philip Morris International that revealed one in every ten cigarettes consumed in the European Union in 2013 were illicit. <ref> Japan Tobacco International, [https://www.jti.com/our-views/newsroom/one-ten-cigarettes-consumed-eu-2013-were-illegal-dramatic-rise-consumption One in Ten Cigarettes Consumed in the EU in 2013 Were Illegal; Dramatic Rise in Consumption of ‘Illicit Whites’], June 2014, Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>

*The State of Hawaii <ref>KPMG,[https://home.kpmg.com/xx/en/home/about/clients/empowering-access-to-healthcare.html Empowering access], Accessed 31 October 2018 </ref>  

===Marketing, Conferences and Public Relations===

{| class="wikitable"

! style="font-weight:bold;width=10%" |Name

|Blu, the vaping brand owned by Imperial Tobacco, has appointed MSQ Partners and Fold7-backed brand experience agency Hyperactive to work on the launch campaign. <ref>[https://www.campaignlive.com/article/blu-lines-agencies-launch-marketing-new-vaping-product/1466361 Blu lines up agencies to launch marketing for new vaping product], ‘’Campaign’’, June 2018, Accessed 19 September 2018 </REF>

|[https://www.fticonsulting-asia.com/?rl=apac FTI] (2016)

|In 2017, [http://www.fontemventures.com/ Fontem Ventures], affiliated with Imperial Tobacco used the services of Aspect Consulting for lobbying in Brussels<ref>Transparency Register, [http://ec.europa.eu/transparencyregister/public/consultation/displaylobbyist.do?id=15392729381-19 Aspect Consulting], Accessed 27 October 2018 </ref> and Blue Star Strategies globally. <ref>Blue Star Strategies, [http://www.bluestarstrategies.com/about/our-clients Our Clients], Accessed 28 October 2018 </ref>

|}

<nowiki><ref name="IB_WEB_BRAND-PORTFOLIO">Imperial Brands, [http://www.imperialbrandsplc.com/About-us/Brand-portfolio.html Brand portfolio], Accessed September 2018</ref></nowiki>