Asia Harm Reduction Forum's 5th Annual Conference 2022

The Asia Harm Reduction Forum held its fifth annual conference on October 28, 2022. As a non-profit and interdisciplinary organization, it empowers and charges individuals, communities, and governments to make informed decisions related to health and provides global initiatives for reducing different types of harm. The forum presents the latest perspectives on harm reduction and encourages reductions on a global scale.

To inform the public about the benefits of reducing harmful practices for a healthier lifestyle, leading experts from various fields including decision-making, science, business, and education have presented the latest research and studies, with a particular focus on reducing the harm caused by tobacco.

During the climax of the forum, speakers and leaders in attendance drafted the "2022 Manila Declaration." They called on signatory countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) and representatives of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to follow scientific evidence and reduce the harm caused by tobacco while discouraging its use, and to encourage the use of safer nicotine products as alternatives.

The 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is only a year away from being held in Panama. In this significant global conference, representatives will discuss safer nicotine products and make recommendations.

Nancy Loucas, the executive coordinator of the Asia Pacific Advocacy Network (CAPHRA), has stated that providing false information as "guidance" to signing countries by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its affiliated organizations is dangerous. Every year, there are 8 million deaths among adults caused by unsafe tobacco products, and the WHO FCTC has failed and is continuing to fail.

The Philippines is providing a platform for discussion, accessibility of information, and forward-thinking legislation, thus continuing to lead the efforts in reducing tobacco harm among its Asian neighbors.

One of the most hotly debated topics during the 2022 Asia Harm Reduction Forum was the passing of Republic Act No. 1190, also known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. The forum discussed the successful implementation of the regulation at a national level and its impact on domestic consumers.

Robert Ace Barbers, the representative of the 2nd district of Surigao del Norte and a member of the Philippine Congress, played a key role in authoring the "Vape Bill." In a pre-recorded speech, he added to the importance of the event by emphasizing that "the most effective way to reduce harm is through legislation that makes it a national policy." This demonstrated his understanding of the value of decision-making methods that reduce harm.

Meanwhile, Clarisse Virgino, the Philippine representative of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), praised Philippine legislators for advocating harm reduction in their legislation.

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The e-cigarette law has presented new possibilities for harm reduction alternatives in the country. This is just the first step in creating a healthier and safer environment for everyone. We hope our legislators will continue to seek different ways to reduce harm within their legal authority to protect the welfare of their citizens," said Ms. Virgino.