BMJ Group’s stringent tobacco policy exemplifies our long standing dedication to independent publishing. Recognising the harmful impact of the tobacco industry—responsible for killing up to two-thirds of long-term users—we have excluded tobacco-sponsored research from our publications for over a decade. It’s important to note that while our initial policy was a significant step, it did not cover all journals but rather a minority. We strive for comprehensive coverage in our ongoing efforts to maintain integrity in our publishing practices.

As a result, in 2024, we extended our policy to cover all content types and to exclude authors with personal financial interests with tobacco companies or tobacco-related subsidiary companies or organisations. These measures strengthen our editorial integrity by supporting the independence of research from commercial interests, and the publication of independent, trusted research, contributing to a healthier world.

Multiple examples exist where users or organisations have used BMJ Best Practice to drive behaviour change, and there is now evidence from over 40 publications that BMJ Best Practice drives clinical and educational quality improvement.

Alongside improving knowledge, awareness, and confidence, BMJ Best Practice helps to verify the standard of care, review and analyse patient safety events, and build the evidence for intervention.