Among ASEAN countries, only Brunei, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand have banned all tobacco-related CSR activities, while Cambodia, Singapore, and Vietnam have banned the publicity of these activities.

Cambodia deferred the adoption of the Joint Prakas between the MOF and MOH to implement the Tobacco Control Law's penalties (fines).

Indonesia cancelled the scheduled 2019 tobacco tax increases and revoked the tobacco excise simplification roadmap.

Malaysia deferred tax increases for 2019, introduction of standardized packaging, imposing retail licenses for tobacco product sellers, and banning all ENDS and electronic non-nicotine delivery system (ENNDS)) pending since 2016.

Thailand deferred to 2021 the excise tax increase from 20% to 40% scheduled in 2019.

Attending social functions and junkets

Malaysia Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry attended an event by the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) - PMI was a major sponsor.

During the 74th UN General Assembly, the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) (PMI sits on its Board) and the US Chamber of Commerce held separate dinner receptions for the Prime Minister of Malaysia and Thailand together with their entourage of high-level officials.

A group of Philippines legislators, including the chairs of the Committee on Health and Committee on Trade and Industry in the House of Representatives, went on a study tour to the UK. They met a Member of Parliament, David Amess who is a supporter of PMI's “Unsmoke Your World” campaign: and visited an IQOS shop escorted by PMFTC's Manager of Fiscal and Government Relations.

In Vietnam, anniversary celebrations of Vinataba and other tobacco companies are attended by senior officials from the MOIT, Central Communist Party, and Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises.

Accepting assistance and offers of partnerships

Cambodia Minister of Information met with the Chair of China Huaxin Group to discuss a tobacco farming investment worth USD 2 billion.

Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam have accepted assistance from the tobacco industry to conduct anti-smuggling activities in the country.

The Philippines' Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2010 requires government departments to report on their interaction with the industry; however, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) does not have full information about meetings of other agencies with the tobacco industry. For example, while there are social media sightings and anecdotal information of different interactions between the tobacco industry and government agencies, the CSC reports that it has not received any documents or disclosure of any meetings or interactions as required by the JMC.

Governments of Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam continue to interact (either in closed-door meetings or open interactions in) with the tobacco industry; however, details of these interactions are not accessible or made transparent to the public.

There are certain domestic laws/regulations in all countries that require the tobacco industry to register aspects of its business operations (such as manufacturing, trading, revenues) in order to operate. For example, in Myanmar, a Special Goods Tax Law requires all manufacturing facilities and distribution chains to register with the government, while in the Philippines, corporate and business entities are also required to register with the BIR and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate.

There are certain domestic laws/regulations in all countries that require the tobacco industry to register aspects of its business operations (such as manufacturing, trading, revenues) in order to operate. For example, in Myanmar, a Special Goods Tax Law requires all manufacturing facilities and distribution chains to register with the government, while in the Philippines, corporate and business entities are also required to register with the BIR and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate.

One way the tobacco industry gains influence with governments is by subscribing to a patronage system - exchanging contributions for candidates, parties, and their election campaigns for political support. Brunei prohibits political contributions from the tobacco industry and political campaigns do not take place in Lao PDR and Vietnam because of their unitary/single party governments.

Another way the tobacco industry influences public policy and creates conflict of interest situations is through the “revolving door”, where politicians or civil servants take up jobs as lobbyists or consultants in the area of their former public service or where former private sector employees accept government positions that regulate the sector they were once a part of. Revolving doors may undermine trust in governments because of the potential for real or perceived conflicts of interests regarding matters of the state.

Brunei, Philippines, and Thailand are leading the way in implementing a code of conduct for the bureaucracy prescribing the standards they should comply with in their interactions with the tobacco industry or its representatives.

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam require the tobacco industry to submit information on tobacco production, manufacture, market share, and revenues; however, they are not required to provide information on marketing expenditures, expenses on lobbying, philanthropy, and political contributions.