Consumer advocates are calling for the next Government to support greater consumer advocacy participation in the
upcoming FCTC COP10 meeting in Panama.
“The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has contributed to some progress in the implementation of
tobacco control measures, but they need to provide honest, risk-proportionate communication and regulatory
recommendations for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) products,” says Nancy Loucas, a prominent New Zealand public health
consumer advocate and executive coordinator of CAPHRA.
“While not perfect, these THR products can be a less harmful alternative to smoking and can help smokers quit. It is
critical that smokers have access to accurate information about these products and that regulations are proportionate to
their risks,” says Ms Loucas.
“The WHO FCTC should stop denying smokers, vapers, and other tobacco users of their right to have a meaningful
participation and inclusion in the formulation of policies that hugely impact them.”
CAPHRA is calling on the New Zealand Government and next Minister of Health to ask all Member States who will be
attending the 10th FCTC Conference of Parties on November 20-25 in Panama City to reject the prohibitionist proposals
contained in COP 10 Provisional Agenda items 6.1 to 6.4 that will just further contribute to millions more of
unnecessary deaths from smoking.
Specifically, we are calling for a commitment from the next New Zealand Government to:Oppose treating THR products as tobacco products and therefore regulating and taxing vaping the same way as smoking;Oppose treating vaping aerosols as smoke and therefore extending very restrictive FCTC provisions coverage to THR
products;Oppose banning all THR products flavours and open systems, online sales and product communications – tools that most
help smokers to switch to THR products;Oppose undue restrictions on nicotine salts and nicotine delivery and nicotine content in general; andOppose any radical progressive tobacco measures that will be extended to novel and emerging tobacco products.
“New Zealand should prioritise science-based inclusive policy making, including at the WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control. It is essential that policy making is based on the best available evidence and that all stakeholders –
including consumer advocates are included in the decision-making process,” said Ms Loucas.
“It is time for the WHO FCTC and its member states to listen to the voice of the sector that they are supposed to fight
for and not against – the over 1 billion smokers whose lives are in danger if they continue to smoke,” Ms Loucas said