The World Health Organization (WHO) has called upon member nations of its global tobacco treaty to either ban or regulate the use of e-cigarettes and other novel products in the tobacco industry. This appeal was made during a virtual media briefing organized by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals, addressing the global tobacco treaty.
E-cigarettes, battery-powered devices that heat liquid into inhalable vapor, are among the novel products prompting the WHO’s call for regulation in the interest of public health.
WHO’s global tobacco treaty reaffirms everyone’s right to the highest standard of health and sets evidence-based guidelines for tobacco control.
The Treaty Officer, Legal Affairs, at WHO FCTC, Sabina Jacazzi, emphasized that the tobacco industry’s novel and emerging products fall under the category of tobacco products. She clarified that the Conference of Parties (COP) had addressed decisions on heated tobacco products and Electronic Nicotine and Non-nicotine delivery systems, considering them subject to the WHO FCTC.
Regarding e-cigarettes, Jacazzi noted that parties that haven’t banned them should regulate them to prevent initiation by youth, minimize health risks, prevent unproven health claims, and protect tobacco control activities from industry interests.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, highlighted the tobacco industry’s new tactics, including attempts to position itself as part of the solution rather than the problem. He urged media vigilance against industry-driven conversations and noted the industry’s use of so-called alternatives as an attack on the FCTC process.
The virtual event featured experts from around the world, including Daniel Dorado, Tobacco Campaign Director at Corporate Accountability; Labram Musah, Executive Director of Vision for Alternative Development in Ghana; Blanca Llorente, Research Director at Fundación Anaas in Colombia; Dr. Tara Singh Bam, Board Director of Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development in Singapore; and Shobha Shukla, Founding Managing Editor of CNS India.
