Top Experts Demand That the WHO Listens to Science

In view of the results that the United Kingdom has had with the use of vaping as a smoking cessation tool, public health experts and agencies in the vaping and tobacco industry have called upon the UK government to help raise awareness of their results with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other governments around the world. Especially now that the WHO’S COP9 global conference will take place in November of this year and will likely serve as a launching pad for smoke cessation, vaping, and tobacco policy around the world.

The reasoning behind the plea is that harm reduction saves lives. Especially when smoking is one of the primary causes of lung cancer in the world.

The only misstep here is that the WHO seems to not view vaping as a tool for smoking harm reduction. This point of view has been enough motivation for 31 consumer organizations across the globe to join forces and demand that the WHO ends its war on vaping and other nicotine alternative products through a letter endorsed by science experts in the fields of public health and tobacco harm reduction.

The letter declares three main demands:

1. That the WHO delivers on its commitment to tobacco harm reduction by endorsing harm reduction products
2. That consumers are ensured access to and affordability of harm reduction products
3. The participation of consumers and independent experts in the discussion held at the COP9 global conference

It has been a grueling back-and-forth between vape, public health experts, and the WHO to arrive at a conclusion that satisfies both sides. 

The position of the WHO allows us to draw the conclusion that battling vaping and tobacco is part of their responsibility in protecting consumers.

On the other hand:

Members of the vaping and tobacco industry feel that the position of the WHO is counterproductive because they claim that vape nicotine products are an effective harm reduction tool against smoking. 

There are multiple studies to give validity to both claims. But the latest 59-page white paper released by the Property Rights Alliance touches on case studies that look into the progress of several countries in terms of smoke cessation. The paper concludes that “countries applying progressive tobacco harm reduction policies are enjoying a significant fall in smoking rates. Whereas those following the WHO’s guidance continue to experience excessive smoking-related illnesses and deaths”.