Industry-Linked Expert Sparks Calls for Transparency in Tobacco Policy Debate
Public health advocates are urging for increased transparency in discussions surrounding illicit tobacco, as questions arise over the connections of a former Australian Border Force officer to nicotine industry organizations. Rohan Pike, who has frequently been cited as an expert in government inquiries, also provides advice to groups linked to the nicotine industry, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Expert's Dual Roles Under Scrutiny
Rohan Pike, with over two decades in law enforcement and now running a consultancy, has emerged as a prominent media commentator on the illicit tobacco trade. His positions often align with those supported by the tobacco industry, including opposing further excise increases on cigarettes and advocating for the legalisation of nicotine pouches. In May, he was appointed as an illicit-trade adviser to the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine Products (GINN), a UK-based trade association representing manufacturers of alternative nicotine products such as pouches and heat-not-burn devices. Pike has stated that he does not receive funding or payment from GINN.
Despite publicly announcing this role on his LinkedIn profile, it has not been consistently disclosed in numerous media interviews or government submissions since his appointment. This lack of transparency has led experts like Becky Freeman, a tobacco-control specialist at the University of Sydney, to argue that it is crucial for policymakers to fully understand whether views presented in media and policy processes are independent.
Public Health Concerns and Industry Influence
Public health experts emphasize that tobacco and nicotine policy must adhere to strict conflict-of-interest standards due to the industry's role in causing millions of deaths annually worldwide. The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control advises governments to protect health policy from industry influence and ensure transparency around industry links. Experts assert that disclosure of industry-aligned roles is essential, even when no payment is involved, to prevent undue influence on public debate and policy.
Pike's background includes co-founding the Australian Border Force's tobacco strike team and working for the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) until 2018, during a period when it was funded by tobacco companies. The ARA has since cut ties with tobacco industry funding after public scrutiny. Pike now runs Rohan Pike Consulting and has described himself in government submissions as "Australia's foremost law enforcement expert in illicit tobacco."
Aligning with Industry Arguments
In a 2022 submission to the Victorian government's illicit tobacco review, Pike argued that tobacco excise increases have inadvertently encouraged the growth of illicit tobacco, a stance that mirrors longstanding tobacco industry arguments. For instance, Philip Morris International has claimed that tobacco excise policy has "failed" and contributes to organized crime. Pike is also part of the leadership team of Retail and Trade Brands Advocacy (RTBA), which does not publicly disclose its membership, and questions remain about whether tobacco or nicotine companies are involved.
Pike has participated in international forums, such as a Philippines Senate committee hearing alongside representatives from Philip Morris Philippines and the Philippine Tobacco Institute, where he argued that tax increases fuel organized crime. He has also spoken at conferences co-funded by Philip Morris International and engaged with New Zealand officials, without always disclosing his GINN role.
Calls for Media and Policy Transparency
Australian Medical Association president Dr. Danielle McMullen has called for the media to play a stronger role in identifying and disclosing potential industry influence. She warns that when industry-linked voices are presented as neutral experts, it can confuse public understanding of smoking risks and distract from evidence-based health measures. The illicit tobacco market in Australia is growing, with recent figures suggesting it accounts for about one-quarter of the total market, driven by factors like high prices and weak enforcement.
Becky Freeman notes that the tobacco industry has long argued that tighter regulation fuels illicit trade without evidence, and recent strategies have shifted focus from health to crime, allowing industry-aligned spokespeople to appear as neutral experts. She stresses that transparency is the bare minimum, and anyone commenting on tobacco policy with industry ties should disclose those relationships.
In response, Pike has defended his stance, citing his extensive experience in law enforcement and research on illicit tobacco. He supports the legalisation of vapes and nicotine pouches based on harm reduction evidence, claiming that prohibition policies generate criminal activity. However, the ongoing debate highlights the need for clearer disclosures to ensure informed public and policy discussions on tobacco and nicotine issues in Australia and beyond.
