Latest news with #ClarisseVirgino
Scoop
06-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
CAPHRA Calls For Evidence-Based Approach In Tobacco Control Policies
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is encouraging governments and international bodies to prioritise science and evidence in public health policymaking related to tobacco control and nicotine use. Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, commented, 'Public health policy is most effective when grounded in robust scientific evidence. When decisions are influenced by politics or other non-scientific factors, there is a risk of undermining public trust and missing opportunities to reduce preventable harm.' CAPHRA's recent analysis of global tobacco control efforts points to ongoing challenges in incorporating diverse perspectives into the policymaking process. The organisation noted that during the recent COP10 summit, several harm reduction advocates were not permitted to present evidence on smoke-free alternatives despite growing data supporting their role in helping adults reduce or quit smoking. 'There is a need for greater inclusivity in discussions on tobacco harm reduction,' said Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA Philippines representative. 'Ensuring that policy reflects current evidence, including independent studies and lived experience, is vital for balanced and effective regulation.' CAPHRA also responded to the World Health Organization's 2025 theme, 'Unmasking Industry Tactics,' expressing concern that conflating consumer advocacy with industry lobbying can hinder meaningful dialogue. The group cited data indicating that an estimated 82 million people globally use vaping as a means of remaining tobacco-free. In the Asia Pacific region, CAPHRA observed inconsistencies between stated public health goals and policy actions. 'It's important that regulatory strategies align with public health objectives and are implemented transparently,' Loucas noted. CAPHRA recommends that countries consider models like that of the United Kingdom, which involves strict regulation of safer nicotine products (SNPs), public education, and the inclusion of consumer input in policy development. 'The global tobacco control effort is evolving, and a fact-based, risk-proportionate approach can contribute meaningfully to reducing tobacco-related disease and death,' Virgino concluded.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
CAPHRA Releases Report Clarifying The Truth About Nicotine
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has released a new report, Understanding Nicotine: The Facts, Not the Myths, calling for a shift in how nicotine is viewed by public health officials, policymakers, and the general public. The report challenges the common belief that nicotine is the primary cause of smoking-related disease, stating clearly that it is the act of burning tobacco—not the nicotine itself—that causes the most harm. CAPHRA's Executive Coordinator, Nancy Loucas, says the persistent demonisation of nicotine is a barrier to harm reduction and is costing lives. 'Nicotine is not the killer. The danger comes from the smoke,' Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA Philippines representative, said. 'People deserve to know the truth so they can make informed choices about safer alternatives.' The report explains that while nicotine can lead to dependence, it is a mild stimulant that does not cause cancer, lung disease, or the majority of heart problems often associated with smoking. Products such as nicotine pouches, patches, gums, and ENDS far less harmful than cigarettes and should be part of a harm reduction strategy. CAPHRA warns that misinformation remains widespread. In the U.S., over 60% of smokers wrongly believe nicotine causes cancer—a misconception shared by many healthcare professionals. This confusion, the group argues, prevents smokers from switching to much safer products. The rise in use of safer nicotine alternatives is already helping reduce tobacco-related harm, but continued progress depends on accurate public education and risk-proportionate regulation. Loucas added, 'People aren't going to stop using nicotine, just like they won't stop drinking coffee. The focus should be on reducing the harm, not spreading fear.'
Scoop
02-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
CAPHRA Urges Transparency To Protect Trust In Public Health
A new report from the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) raises concerns about the long-term consequences of suppressing or distorting scientific information during public health crises. Titled The Cost of Concealment: The People Pay the Price, the report examines how failures in transparency and accountability can erode public trust and compromise health outcomes. The report identifies a recurring pattern in which political pressures, institutional interests, and reputational concerns have influenced how critical health information is communicated. This pattern, the report suggests, has been evident in past events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently in the restructuring of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States and Argentina's withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). 'In times of crisis, the public depends on officials and scientists to provide clear, objective, and timely information,' said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator for CAPHRA. 'When this duty is compromised, the consequences are measured not just in lost trust, but in lost lives.' Historical examples such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study are cited in the report to underscore the long-standing impact of withheld information, particularly on marginalized communities. It draws parallels to more recent instances where early suppression of scientific discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to public confusion and the proliferation of misinformation. Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA's representative in the Philippines, stated, 'When science is manipulated or dissenting views are silenced, it ceases to be a tool of discovery and becomes a tool of conformity.' The report also references the opioid crisis as a case in which regulatory failures and inadequate communication contributed to a significant public health emergency. It emphasizes that limited transparency and selective reporting can have global ramifications, empowering misinformation, weakening public institutions, and leading to ineffective policy responses. CAPHRA's report concludes with a call for renewed commitment to ethical standards, transparency, and scientific independence. It urges officials, researchers, and institutions to prioritize public welfare over political or personal interests. 'As the world prepares for future health challenges, maintaining the highest standards of integrity is not optional—it is essential to restoring public trust and safeguarding lives,' the report concludes.
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Report Examines the Impact of Disinformation on Public Health Outcomes
'Disinformation is not simply incorrect information — it is deliberate, malicious, and deeply damaging.'— Clarisse Virgino MANILA, PHILIPPINES, May 22, 2025 / / -- In an era of widespread access to information, the growing influence of disinformation presents complex challenges for public health. A new analysis, The Silent Threat: How Disinformation Harms Public Health, explores the potential effects of misleading information on public trust and the delivery of health guidance, and recommends strategies for evidence-based responses. The report outlines how disinformation—defined as the intentional spread of false or misleading information—can create confusion and reduce adherence to health recommendations. It also suggests that when public health decisions appear to be shaped by factors other than scientific evidence, confidence in health systems can diminish, potentially affecting outcomes. 'Disinformation differs from simple misinformation in that it is intentional and designed to mislead,' said Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA Philippines representative. 'It can gain traction particularly when there are inconsistencies in public health messaging or when individuals perceive a disconnect between official guidance and their personal experiences.' The analysis draws on examples such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where varying information and debates over policy led to public skepticism. Similar concerns are noted in areas such as tobacco harm reduction, where conflicting narratives may complicate decision-making for individuals seeking to understand their options. The report highlights that disinformation may disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including marginalized communities that already encounter barriers to accessing healthcare and accurate information. These dynamics can exacerbate existing health inequities. The authors advocate for public health policy to remain firmly rooted in evidence and emphasize the importance of clear, consistent communication. They recommend that public health leaders focus on maintaining transparency and rebuilding trust as fundamental components of effective health promotion and protection. The report concludes by calling on public health authorities to prioritize the delivery of accurate information and to ensure that the needs and welfare of the population remain central to decision-making processes. To read the full position paper, please visit: N. E. Loucas Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
