The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was held in Panama from 5th to 10th February, bringing together member states to discuss crucial issues related to tobacco control.
The conference opened with member states reconvening to address the global progress in implementing the WHO FCTC. While Article 1(d) of the FCTC mentions harm reduction as a tobacco control strategy, the COP10 summit primarily focused on conventional tobacco control measures and saw limited discussions on tobacco harm reduction (THR) alternatives like e-cigarettes, vaping, and nicotine pouches. Instead, secretarial members of the summit even spoke against THR, blaming the tobacco industry for promoting this alternative to serve their own purposes.
Amidst a cloud of THR scepticism, the Caribbean nations promisingly called for a workgroup to understand the success of THR strategies and policies in countries such as New Zealand, Sweden and Japan. However, this proposal – which would have been an important step forward – was not taken any further.
Contrarily, delegates actively advocated for the FCTC to take a strong stance against alternative nicotine products and called for stronger tobacco control policies on the same.
Despite its huge presence in and positive contribution to reducing smoking harms and providing viable alternatives, there seemed to be no place for THR in the COP10 discussions. Perhaps even more detrimentally, there also seemed to be no place for the voices and perspectives of actual smokers worldwide who would like to have a say in decisions that will impact their daily lives.
Yet, these setbacks are only a stumble and not a stop as discussions, research and discoveries around THR continue to increase, strengthen and support nations around the world.
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