1. UNITAB
October 2016

2. Índice Página La Mesa del Tabaco 4 Key Strategic Principle 5 Members 6
How does it work - A gentlemen's agreement 8
One voice, one argument - Advocating towards key stakeholders 10
Key messages: Arguments & enablers 12
One voice, one argument - Credibility & results 14
Current and future working areas 17

3. Mesa
del
Tabaco 1

4. “PART OF THE SOLUTION… NOT YET THE RESOLUTION”
La Mesa del Tabaco:
“PART OF THE SOLUTION… NOT YET THE RESOLUTION”
The size of the challenge generated by the new TPD review requested a similar response in magnitude.
Within this playground the Spanish Tobacco Round-Table (“La Mesa del Tabaco”) was officially created as a working group with the aim to advocate about the sector concerns with regards the forthcoming revision of the TPD while re-instating awareness on the substantial role that Tobacco Sector was playing within the Spanish economy.
La Mesa del Tabaco has been a successful initiative to gather the entire Tobacco sector, for the first time ever “from the seed to the ashtray”.

5. 2 “One voice, one message” “United we are stronger” Key Strategic
Principle 2
“One voice, one message”
“United we are stronger”

6. Members 3

7. MEMBERS La Mesa del Tabaco:
A pioneer initiative that gathers all the tobacco value chain: from growers to retailers.
MEMBERS

8. How does
It Work? 4

9. La Mesa del Tabaco: How does it work… a gentlemen's agreement
Four RULES
Gain greater impact on the authorities and media
A united sector
One spokesperson
One proposal
Allow for Sovereignty cession
Minimize individual advocacy or engagement
La Mesa del Tabaco works only with agreed messages.
Commitment
One aim: Mutual vs. individual interests: The goal is to ensure the sustainability of the tobacco sector in Spain.
One argument (advocacy engagement and media): La Mesa works with agreed materials and Q&A’s.
One voice: One spokesperson – The NMA’s GM.
Cross-functional representation in all meetings: The spokesperson has the support of representatives of other areas within the Mesa when needed (Agriculture, Retail, etc.) to cool down the “Big Tobacco” perception while “normalizing” the discussions.

10. One voice,
One Argument 5

11. With Institutions and Authorities
La Mesa del Tabaco: One voice, one argument… advocating towards key stakeholders
With Institutions and Authorities
In Spain / Canary Islands
National Government and Parliament
Regional Governments and Parliaments
In Europe (Spanish representation at EU)
European Commissioner for Competence
MEPs
Ambassador and REPER Attachés
Senior officials and/or other institutions representatives
And also through our Partners
NTC (Commissioner for Tobacco Market)
CEOE (Employers’ Federation)
Trade Unions (UGT y CCOO)
Andema (Defense of the Trademarks Association)
Governments of Autonomous Regions (i.e. Extremadura – leaf growing region)

12. Key messages:
Arguments &
Enablers 6

13. La Mesa del Tabaco:

14. Credibility &
Results 7

15. Main Achievements One voice, one argument… credibility & results
La Mesa del Tabaco:
One voice, one argument… credibility & results
Main Achievements
Parliamentary Support - Several Non Legislative Motions in defense of Tobacco
National Parliament (signed by 90% of the members).
5 Regional Parliaments (Extremadura, Canary Islands, Navarra, La Rioja & Cantabria)
Spanish Institutions implication in EU institutions:
Extremadura’s President appointed as the Rapporteur for CoR opinion on TPD II
Spanish Federation of Employers (CEOE) as the Rapporteur for EESC opinion on TPD II
Creation of an Interministerial Committee lead by the Secretary of State for EU to establish Spain’s position vis-à-vis TPD II. (MoH influence dilution)
Institutional declaration of 5 Regional Presidents in defense of the Tobacco Sector requesting a similar position from the National Government.
TPD transposition draft: mainly literal
Detailed Opinion from the Spanish Government against Ireland, UK & France and Hungary proposals for Plain Packaging

16. Communication Main Achievements
La Mesa del Tabaco:
One voice, one argument… credibility & results
Communication Main Achievements
Quantitative:
Massive presence in the mainstream media: TVs, written press, radio, online media:
36+ face to face with key journalists and opinion leaders.
32+ interviews in print, radio and national and regional TVs
Over 150 articles and media appearances.
Qualitative
Neutrality of social media in the debate
La Mesa as spokesman of the Tobacco Sector
Changing Perception: from the tobacco and its harmful effects to the tobacco sector as generator of jobs, revenue and wealth for the Spanish economy
Bringing the sector closer to the public opinion - personalizing and humanizing
Establishing the area of discussion in Media: Jobs & Tax revenues

17. Current &
Future
Working
Areas 8

18. “CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKING AREAS”
La Mesa del Tabaco:
“CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKING AREAS”
Transposition of the TPDII into the national legislation.
CoP 7: Spanish position on the Directive.
Hyper-regulation: Plain packaging proposals from other Member States.
T&T advocacy.

19. Contact
Tel