MASHINIi

IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC.

IMB.LSE | Manufacture of tobacco products

Imperial Brands PLC is a multinational tobacco company. It manufactures, markets, and sells a range of cigarettes, fine cut tobacco, and cigars. The company also has a presence in next-generation products (NGP) such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. Its brand portfolio includes well-known names li...Show More

Ethical Profile

Mixed.

Imperial Brands PLC faces significant ethical scrutiny. Its core tobacco business is fundamentally in conflict with "Better Health for All," as products are directly linked to numerous adverse health outcomes. Critics point to historical controversies surrounding marketing tactics, allegedly targeting youth. Operations also conflict with "Planet-Friendly Business" and "Zero Waste & Sustainable Products"; tobacco cultivation contributes to deforestation and pesticide use, while cigarette filters and next-generation products generate substantial waste. Reports suggest a medium to high conflict with "Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing" and "Fair Pay & Worker Respect," with the tobacco industry linked to potential child labor and fair wage issues in its global supply chain.

Value Scores

Better Health for All-80
-100100
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity0
-100100
Fair Pay & Worker Respect0
-100100
Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing0
-100100
Honest & Fair Business-50
-100100
Kind to Animals10
-100100
No War, No Weapons0
-100100
Planet-Friendly Business0
-100100
Respect for Cultures & Communities0
-100100
Safe & Smart Tech0
-100100
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products0
-100100

Better Health for All

-80

Imperial Brands' principal goods, primarily cigarettes, cause severe, widespread health damage, with 96.4% of its 2019 net sales generated by high-risk products.

1
The company explicitly states tobacco will remain its core business for many years.
2
Its reduced-risk alternatives, which constitute only 3% of total sales, are exclusively available in high-medium income countries.
3
, leaving vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries (where over 80% of smokers reside) without access to these less harmful options.
4
Tobacco use is a major cause of non-communicable diseases, representing severe negative health externalities for which no direct remediation efforts are evidenced.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

0

Imperial Brands PLC is a multinational tobacco company that manufactures, markets, and sells tobacco and next-generation products.

1
The provided articles confirm its focus on these products
2
and do not contain any information indicating that the company offers lending, deposit, or other financial services to consumers or businesses. Therefore, the KPIs under the 'Fair Money & Economic Opportunity' value, which are designed for financial institutions, are not applicable to Imperial Brands PLC's core business operations.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

0

No evidence available to assess IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC on Fair Pay & Worker Respect.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

0

No evidence available to assess IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC on Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing.

Honest & Fair Business

-50

Imperial Brands has a "Speaking Up" Policy

1
and a central "Speaking Up" service within its Legal Governance department
2
. This service functions as an internal reporting office in accordance with Section 12 of the Whistleblower Protection Act (Hinweisgeberschutzgesetz), allowing for anonymous reports
3
. The Act aims to ensure that individuals making reports do not fear reprisals
4
. A dedicated email address is provided
5
, and the company is working to publish new phone numbers for the service
6
. The company's Code of Conduct expects employees and business partners to conduct themselves with integrity and report concerns about possible violations
7
. A Supplier Code of Conduct also requires suppliers to operate ethically and comply with all applicable laws and regulations
8
. However, the provided information does not detail specific guidance on issues such as facilitation payments or gift thresholds within these policies.

Kind to Animals

10

Imperial Brands initiated an "Alternatives to Animal Testing Programme" in 2015.

1
The company has a policy not to commission or conduct research involving live animals (in-vivo testing) for the scientific substantiation of their Next Generation Products (NGPs), unless formally required by governments or recognized regulatory authorities.
2
For these products, Imperial Brands uses in-vitro techniques, including Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century (TT21C) methodologies and in vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs), for toxicological assessments and as alternatives to animal testing.
3
The company also educates regulators, media, and consumers about the advantages of TT21C methodologies.
4

No War, No Weapons

0

The company is a multinational tobacco firm and is not listed among companies involved in arms sales, nuclear weapons production, or cluster munitions.

1
Consequently, it has no revenue from arms contracts, no exposure to controversial weapons, and no defense assets requiring divestment. The company suspended all operations, including sales and marketing, in Russia and Ukraine on March 9, 2022.
2
These regions represented 2% of its net revenues in FY21.
3

Planet-Friendly Business

0

No evidence available to assess IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC on Planet-Friendly Business.

Respect for Cultures & Communities

0

No evidence available to assess IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC on Respect for Cultures & Communities.

Safe & Smart Tech

0

The company states it only collects data necessary for the purpose.

1
Users have rights to request access, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, and portability of their personal information, and can withdraw consent for specific data uses.
2
The company also states it complies with applicable data protection laws.
3

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

0

No specific, quantifiable evidence was found in the provided articles to assess Imperial Brands PLC against any of the 'Zero Waste & Sustainable Products' KPIs. The articles mention the company's ESG reporting adheres to GRI Standards: Core Options

1
and that selected sustainability data is assured by Ernst and Young LLP for the 2025 reporting year
2
. It also notes recognition in CDP's 2025 A List for climate change and forests
3
, which is not directly relevant to waste or sustainable products.

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AI-generated analysis based on publicly available data. Not financial advice. Ratings are expressions of opinion derived from automated models and may contain inaccuracies. See our Risk Disclosure for full details.