Dalligate tobacco lobbyist not screened for conflicts of interest when left Commission

“It is absolutely remarkable that the Commission did not screen Johan Gabrielsson for his job move to tobacco company Swedish Match, especially in light of all the dodgy lobbying tactics that Swedish Match has been engaged in, as revealed in the wake of the Dalligate lobby scandal. Gabrielsson himself met another revolving door case, former European Council lawyer Gayle Kimberly, in Malta, in order to facilitate contacts, using personal connections, with former Commissioner John Dalli. Not only has the Commission failed to implement the staff regulations – or taken any action when Gabrielsson failed to apply for permission – but the spirit of the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has been undermined.

The revolving door has cropped up as a key feature in the tobacco lobby scandal nicknamed “Dalligate”. CEO believes that an automatic cooling-off period of two years on corporate lobby jobs should be enacted for all EU institution staff, and that restrictions on tobacco lobby jobs – which are restricted for public health officials, under the UN FCTC – should be extended for all public officials. This is because the tobacco industry gains inside knowledge about how the institutions work, as well as valuable contacts, not only by hiring former health officials, but former public officials in any policy area.”