Federica PATALANO

Federica Patalano is a corporate affairs executive and currently serves as the Head of EU Stakeholders Engagement at British American Tobacco (BAT), a major multinational tobacco company headquartered in London, UK. BAT is the world’s second-largest tobacco company by net sales, operating in around 180 countries. Patalano plays a key role in managing the company’s public affairs and lobbying efforts within the European Union, focusing primarily on tobacco-related regulatory, taxation, and policy issues. Her position involves advocating for BAT’s interests amidst challenging EU tobacco control legislation, including directives on tobacco products, advertising, excise duty, illicit trade, and intellectual property rights. With accreditation to the European Parliament, she represents BAT’s strategic aim to transition towards smokeless alternatives and influence EU policies that impact tobacco regulation and the company’s market operations

Federica Patalano’s lobbying activities are deeply tied to British American Tobacco’s mission to shape the regulatory landscape within the EU in favor of the company’s business goals. BAT’s overarching objective is to manage and influence EU tobacco regulations to mitigate restrictions on their products while promoting a future where their portfolio is predominantly smokeless by 2035. This involves navigating and impacting several key EU legislative frameworks:

The Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), regulating manufacturing, presentation, and sales of tobacco and related products.
Tobacco Advertising Directive (2003/33/EC), controlling tobacco advertising and sponsorship.
Excise Duty Directives, which set taxation rules on tobacco products.
Policies addressing illicit trade and counterfeit tobacco products.
Intellectual property protections and the circular economy initiatives.

Federica Patalano’s lobbying includes emphasizing harm reduction narratives surrounding tobacco alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, seeking to influence regulators’ views and legislative outcomes to position BAT favorably within the new regulatory environment. The company engages in intense policy monitoring and advocacy to avoid overly restrictive measures that could harm sales or brand presence and to promote regulatory frameworks conducive to innovation in nicotine products.

Her role includes revealing BAT’s underlying intention of maintaining market access and defending profit margins against stringent controls, while subtly steering policy dialogue to soften potential regulatory impacts. Given the highly controversial nature of tobacco lobbying, BAT’s engagement under Patalano also navigates reputational risks, regulatory scrutiny, and public health criticisms by framing their lobbying as constructive dialogue aimed at regulatory balance and innovation support

Federica Patalano has been involved in multiple high-level lobbying efforts in European Union institutions to advocate BAT’s positions and influence policy on tobacco regulation and taxation. Documented BAT EU lobbying expenditure is substantial (in the range of 3.5 to 4 million euros per year), reflecting significant lobbying resource allocation including Patalano’s activities.

Key activities include:

Attending meetings with European Commissioners and senior officials from Directorates-General such as DG Taxation and Customs Union to discuss excise duty revisions and tobacco regulation frameworks.
Engaging with Cabinet members of Commissioners responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, ensuring tobacco policy dialogues consider trade and regulatory harmonization beyond EU borders.
Participating in consultations regarding the Tobacco Products Directive and ongoing evaluations of the broader tobacco framework in the EU.
Influencing the revision of the Union Customs Code affecting tobacco product movement.
Interactions linked to EU positions at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) conferences, aiming to align European and global tobacco control measures in a way favorable to BAT.
Lobbying for BAT’s interests in protecting intellectual property rights against counterfeit tobacco and advocating for regulatory frameworks that support innovation in nicotine products without excessive burden.

The influence of these meetings can be observed in the evolution and moderate adaptations of EU tobacco directives, balancing public health goals with industry concerns. For example, the Tobacco Products Directive has undergone revisions reflecting stakeholder input, including from BAT, to technically accommodate novel nicotine products. Patalano’s role is pivotal in maintaining dialogue channels with policymakers to ensure BAT’s lobbying inputs are integrated into the EU legislative processes.

Additionally, BAT is a member of multiple influential business and trade associations in Brussels, such as Tobacco Europe and BusinessEurope, which amplify its lobbying reach. Patalano coordinates at the EU level to maintain these alliances and leverage collective advocacy on policy issues relevant to BAT’s commercial objectives

LinkedIn: Federica Patalano – Corporate Affairs Executive | Head of EU Stakeholders Engagement at British American Tobacco (LinkedIn profile available)
Lobbying office (EU): Aarlenstraat 80 Rue d’Arlon, Brussels 1050, Belgium
British American Tobacco Corporate Office: Globe House, Temple Place, 4 London WC2R 2PG, United Kingdom
Website: www.bat.com
Email / Phone: Specific direct contact details for Federica Patalano are not publicly disclosed, typical for lobbyists. Contact can be initiated through BAT’s official EU office channels or via LinkedIn professional networking.