2Q2003 April–June

Business in the Community's United Kingdom (UK) Corporate Responsibility Index 2002, launched in March 2003, ranks 112 voluntary participant companies, including more than half of the FTSE 100, based on performance ratings for Corporate Strategy, Integration, Management Practices, Impact Areas and Assurance. There are several sectors more controversial than the tobacco industry, especially when it comes to matters of ethics. British American Tobacco was provided with an Association of Chartered Certified Accountants award in the UK and a KPMG award in South Africa for Social Reporting. Chairman of British American Tobacco Martin Broughton admitted that 'Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a challenge in a business involving risky products', but argued that 'it would be self-defeating if CSR were to become an exclusive club, admitting only businesses judged "safe and pure". Business in the Community's Mallen Baker suggested that one of the most important things would be the position taken by tobacco companies on the regulation of their activities.