TOWN halls with a duty to improve public health are ploughing hundreds of millions of pounds into international companies selling alcohol and cigarettes.
The Freedom on Information request found investments in tobacco firms.
A Sunday Express investigation reveals that multi-billion pound local government pension pots are still being invested in firms such as British American Tobacco, despite the fact that councils are now obliged to help residents quit smoking and reduce their drinking.
Local authorities were put in the driving seat on public health policies, with a remit to promote healthier lifestyles, in April.