Conservative Activist Targets Tobacco Company’s DEI Agenda

On Monday, conservative activist Robbie Starbuck shared a video highlighting British American Tobacco’s ties to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including an ad campaign that featured drag queens. He expressed concerns about the company’s policies and the messages they send.

British American Tobacco, along with its subsidiary Reynolds American Inc., oversees a variety of tobacco products, such as Camel, Newport, Vauds, Grizzly, and American Spirit. Starbuck noted that Reynolds American received a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index due to its extensive DEI policies.

Many Americans might not be familiar with Reynolds American or its parent company, but brands like Camel and Newport are widely recognized. Starbuck called for increased awareness of the company’s “woke” agenda.

Starbuck referred to a 2024 interview with Borgia Walker, the Senior VP of Human Resources and Inclusion at Reynolds American. In that interview, Walker stated, “By 2025, we aim to achieve gender parity in our management roles and have 25% minority representation.”

The British American Tobacco group’s 2024 Diversity and Inclusion report details their commitment to achieving 40% representation of women and ethnic diversity in leadership roles by 2025 and 2027, respectively.

“When you purchase their products, you support one of Corporate America’s most aggressive ‘woke’ agendas,” Starbuck mentioned in his video, emphasizing this point further with a commentary on the company’s involvement as the primary sponsor of the Winston Salem Pride Parade in 2024.

Reynolds American even sent a group of employees to participate in the parade, according to reports. Their support doesn’t stop there. The vaping brand Vuse also launched a campaign with drag queens titled “Vuse x Drag Queens: Be Every You,” which has received recognition for its LGBTQIA+ affirming efforts.

Tadeu Marroco, CEO of British American Tobacco, stated in February that no significant changes to their DEI policies are anticipated, despite current economic conditions. Attempts to reach British American Tobacco and Reynolds American for comment were unsuccessful.