According to Tobacco Reporter on May 30th, the Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling on global leaders to recognize the potential of e-cigarettes and other safer nicotine products to save lives. They also reveal the misleading public information campaign being conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Alliance's executive coordinator Nancy Loucas stated, "Despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the lower risks of e-cigarettes compared to traditional tobacco, the World Health Organization continues to ignore these facts and mislead the public. These products, including e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and heated tobacco products (HTPs), provide a viable alternative for millions of smokers seeking to reduce their health risks.
The report from GSTHR has shown that these alternatives are not only effective in reducing harm, but also play a significant role in public health, providing viable and acceptable options for smokers worldwide.
The alliance criticized the World Health Organization's exclusive strategy, particularly at the Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10). The alliance stated in an email press conference that by excluding consumer groups and harm reduction advocates, the World Health Organization has neglected the voices of those directly affected by tobacco use.
Lucas said: "The most serious aspect of the WHO's position is its use of children as pawns to spread misinformation about non-tobacco reduced harm products like e-cigarettes. This misleading behavior not only undermines the credibility of harm reduction efforts, but also poses a threat to the health of adult smokers worldwide who could potentially benefit by switching to safer alternatives.
The Asia-Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocacy Alliance is calling on all stakeholders in the e-cigarette industry, including policymakers, public health officials, and media, to recognize the truth about tobacco harm reduction. The statement indicates that it is time to challenge the misinformation spread by the World Health Organization and advocate for evidence-based policies that prioritize the health and well-being of global smokers.
Lucas said, "Now is the time for the World Health Organization and FCTC to listen to consumers and incorporate harm reduction into their policies. Only in this way can we simultaneously address the public health crisis of smoking and the increasingly serious problem of illicit tobacco trade. The WHO's position not only ignores the evidence supporting these strategies but also undermines the global fight against tobacco prevalence.
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