Tobacco industry and Swiss universities: new research reveals extensive links and lack of transparency for the first time
Lausanne (Switzerland), 19 February 2026
A new report by the Swiss Transparency and Truth initiative led by the organization OxySuisse documents for the first time the extent of the links between the tobacco industry and Swiss academic institutions: 29 collaborations have been identified in 16 higher education institutions. During its research, OxySuisse encountered serious shortcomings in transparency within higher education institutions. Against the backdrop of current international scientific scandals, OxySuisse warns of a serious risk to the scientific integrity of the Swiss academic community and is setting up a secure channel for whistleblowers.
For decades, the tobacco industry has been using research and scientific collaboration to influence science and health policy. The situation in Switzerland is particularly critical: it ranks 99thout of 100 in the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2025[1] and thus has one of the most serious deficits in terms of transparency and protection against industry influence.
29 collaborations at 16 universities – documented systematically for the first time
Transparency and Truth is today publishing the first systematic study on the links between the tobacco industry and Swiss science. Of the 31 universities, universities of applied science, federal institutes of technology and university hospitals surveyed, the study shows that 16 institutions have had 29 collaborations since 2019, 23 of which were with Philip Morris. All regions of the country are affected. Forms of collaboration include joint research and publications, teaching activities, industry-funded workshops, research contracts and joint doctoral theses. There are indications that the actual number is higher, as several collaborations were not reported by the universities and could only be uncovered through additional research. Furthermore, confidentiality clauses could be hindering the disclosure of contracts.
Lack of transparency in public institutions
The lack of transparency is particularly worrying. As public institutions, universities are required to disclose this information in accordance with the transparency laws in force. Four institutions refused to disclose information or publish their contracts. In several cases, OxySuisse had to take legal action to obtain access to documents, with some proceedings still ongoing. To date, all court decisions and assessments by cantonal transparency officers have ruled in favour of OxySuisse. A ranking of institutions based on their compliance with the principle of transparency and their links to the tobacco industry has been established.
International dimension and systematic approach
For decades, the tobacco industry has been infiltrating universities to give itself scientific legitimacy, minimise the risks of its products and influence regulations in its favour, often covertly, by manipulating data and violating the principles of scientific integrity. In Switzerland, the Rylander affair (University of Geneva)[2] and Philip Morris’s mandate on plain packaging (University of Zurich)[3] illustrate this strategy. Internationally, recent investigations, including those by the University of Bath[4] (2024) and Le Monde[5] (2025), confirm that this phenomenon persists. The Transparency and Truth report shows that these collaborations are not exceptions, but rather the expression of a systematic and planned strategy.
A threat to Switzerland’s scientific integrity
The report reveals structural weaknesses in the Swiss university system. Most academic institutions do not have clear rules on collaboration with the tobacco industry.
OxySuisse is therefore calling for transparency in collaborations with the tobacco industry, the establishment of binding national ethical rules, and awareness-raising among the respective ethics committees. In parallel with the publication of the report, OxySuisse is setting up a secure channel for whistleblowers, through which researchers and members of higher education institutions can confidentially report violations of scientific integrity in collaborations with the tobacco industry.
Nous n'utilisons ni ne suivons aucune donnée personnelle sur notre site. Nous utilisons des cookies uniquement pour améliorer l'expérience de l'utilisateur et pour assurer le bon fonctionnement de notre site.
About us
