Luca NARDINI

Luca Nardini is a seasoned government affairs professional working as an EU Affairs lobbyist for British American Tobacco (BAT), a leading multinational consumer goods company founded in 1902 and headquartered in the UK. BAT has evolved to focus on creating “A Better Tomorrow™” by gradually shifting from traditional cigarettes to smokeless tobacco alternatives, aiming for a predominantly smokeless business by 2035. Nardini operates mainly within the Brussels EU institutions context, where BAT has substantial lobbying operations to influence tobacco-related regulatory policies, excise duties, illicit trade prevention, and intellectual property rights. His role fits into a wider BAT strategy investing millions in lobbying activities to shape EU tobacco directives and related legislative frameworks like the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive

Luca Nardini’s lobbying efforts on behalf of British American Tobacco are focused on shaping EU policies in favor of the tobacco industry’s regulatory and commercial interests. BAT’s lobbying revolves around mitigating restrictive regulations that affect tobacco products and promoting legislative environments favorable to smokeless tobacco alternatives, which represent their strategic future market. His involvement includes influencing:

The revision and implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), which governs the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related products across EU member states.
The Tobacco Advertising Directive (2003/33/EC), which restricts advertising and sponsorship of tobacco products.
Updates to excise duty policies under Directive 2011/64/EU and Directive (EU)2020/262, critical for product pricing and cross-border trade.
EU frameworks addressing illicit tobacco trade and intellectual property protections, preventing counterfeit products that harm BAT’s market.
Broader policy discussions on tobacco control within the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), where EU stances at COP meetings influence global tobacco governance.

Nardini’s true and hidden intentions reflect BAT’s dual strategy: advocating for less stringent regulations on newly emerging nicotine products such as vaping and nicotine pouches while continuing to protect the core cigarette market from overly restrictive taxation and advertising bans. BAT’s lobbying under Nardini aims to safeguard market access amid shifting public health narratives and regulatory scrutiny. His role supports BAT’s objective of transforming its business model from combustible tobacco products to innovative, less harmful alternatives by proactively engaging with EU lawmakers and regulatory bodies to shape policies that balance public health concerns with commercial opportunities

Luca Nardini has been actively engaged in lobbying activities at the EU level, representing British American Tobacco in numerous meetings with EU politicians and officials. These meetings include interactions with members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and other key decision-makers involved in tobacco policy, taxation, and regulatory frameworks.

Through these engagements, Nardini promotes BAT’s interests in legislative dossiers on tobacco control, excise duty directives, customs codes, and intellectual property rights. For example:

Discussions related to the Tobacco Products Directive review, which impacts product ingredient disclosures, packaging, and marketing restrictions.
Consultations on updating the Tobacco Excise Directive to influence tax structures affecting tobacco product prices across member states.
Advocacy during the EU’s evaluation process of tobacco control policies, pushing for science-based regulations that allow for harm reduction through smokeless nicotine products.

These lobbying efforts correspond to policy outcomes like delayed or moderated restrictions on new nicotine technologies, tax policies allowing cross-border product movement, and intellectual property enforcement against counterfeit trade. Nardini’s participation aims to position BAT as a responsible stakeholder in the evolving EU tobacco policy landscape, leveraging scientific arguments and economic impact evidence.

While exact meetings and dates are not fully disclosed due to transparency limitations, BAT’s annual transparency records confirm multiple high-level meetings coordinated by lobbyists including Nardini, contributing to shaping Commission proposals and Parliament debates

Public contact details specific to Luca Nardini are limited due to privacy and GDPR considerations. However, available professional contact points include:

LinkedIn: Luca Nardini — EU Affairs, British American Tobacco
British American Tobacco UK Office: Globe House, Temple Place, 4, London WC2R 2PG, United Kingdom
British American Tobacco EU Office: Rue d’Arlon 80, Brussels 1050, Belgium
BAT Website: www.bat.com