The research work presented contributes to understanding the tobacco industry in Lebanon and its influence on policy making. It seeks to inform efforts to strengthen Tobacco Control in Lebanon, including implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It is based on analysis of tobacco industry internal documents, disclosed to the public through litigation in the U.S. The interpretation of documents was supported by interviews with policy makers and media reports, policy documents and industry publications.

The research found that the tobacco industry has been highly effective at undermining ongoing efforts to introduce stronger tobacco control measures. During the civil war (1975-1990), transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) sought to build market share and were complicit in the contraband trade. Lebanon was seen as strategically important for expansion in the Middle East, serving as a site for cross-border advertising. Given continued political instability, to date, TTCs have effectively used strong political and economic alliances to limit the scope of tobacco control measures. The situation has resulted in a policy vacuum within which protection of public health has been given low priority.