Latest news with #FCTC
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
GFN25 Celebrates Breakthrough Success In Tobacco Harm Reduction As Evidence Mounts Against WHO Opposition
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) celebrates the success of GFN25, the 12th Global Forum on Nicotine, which concluded in Warsaw on 21 June 2025, delivering compelling evidence that tobacco harm reduction continues gaining momentum despite opposition from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The three-day conference, themed "Challenging Perceptions – Effective Communication for Tobacco Harm Reduction," brought together leading scientists, healthcare professionals, and consumer advocates who presented groundbreaking research demonstrating safer nicotine products' effectiveness. Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, said: "GFN25 has highlighted the scientific evidence supporting tobacco harm reduction is overwhelming, yet the WHO continues its campaign against products that could save millions of lives. Denying smokers access to safer alternatives is a moral failure." Dr Mark Tyndall's keynote address, "What's so scary about tobacco harm reduction?" challenged stigma plaguing tobacco harm reduction policy, drawing parallels between drug harm reduction successes and potential tobacco control outcomes. The conference featured the prestigious Michael Russell Oration and Award ceremony, recognising outstanding contributions to tobacco harm reduction science. The award honoured Fiona Patten, from Australia, whose tireless advocacy for harm reduction was well deserved." Advertisement - scroll to continue reading CAPHRA highlighted how discussions reinforced the importance of consumer voices in tobacco harm reduction. There were multiple consumer sessions for Latin America, central Asia and Eastern Europe highlighting the challenges and opportunities for THR in LMICs. Asa Saligupta, from ECST Thialand, participated in a session on 20 years of FCTC with esteemed experts such as Derek Yach and Tikki Pangestu, both of whom helped craft the original treaty, and are well placed to evaluate its importance and intentions towards THR. This was especially timely mounting evidence, the WHO's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report focuses exclusively on traditional tobacco control whilst ignoring harm reduction approaches. The WHO's MPOWER framework excludes safer nicotine products, maintaining an abstinence-only approach proven inadequate for millions of smokers. "The WHO's refusal to acknowledge evidence is condemning millions to preventable deaths," said Loucas. "New Zealand has shown what's possible when governments trust science. The WHO's ideological opposition betrays its mission to improve global health." CAPHRA calls on governments to follow scientific evidence from GFN25 and adopt policies prioritising harm reduction alongside traditional tobacco control. Effective tobacco control requires comprehensive approaches including access to safer alternatives for those unable to quit nicotine. "The evidence is clear, the science settled, and the moral imperative undeniable," concluded Loucas. "It's time for the WHO and governments to stop playing politics with people's lives and trust science showing safer nicotine products can end the smoking epidemic."
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
New 'rules of engagement' with alcohol lobby
By Guyon Espiner of RNZ New "rules of engagement" for health officials dealing with the alcohol industry are coming after a senior staffer complained a public health manager had been "way too friendly" with booze lobbyists. In May it was reported that Ross Bell, a manager with the Ministry of Health's Public Health Agency, had close engagement with alcohol lobbyists, who were granted input into the development of alcohol policies. References to a review of safe drinking guidelines were removed from a Health New Zealand website after an alcohol lobbyist complained to Bell. On the day the story was published, Deputy Director-General of Health Dr Andrew Old sent an email to staff saying Bell had "acted entirely appropriately" in his engagement with the alcohol industry. "Engaging with industry can, and has, yielded meaningful health gains for New Zealanders in the past - and will do so again," the email said. "However, we also know that some industry interests lead to public health harm, and so our engagement needs to be careful, mature, and intentional." Old invited Ministry of Health staff to respond. Dr Clair Mills, who provides advice to the Public Health Advisory committee, took issue with the engagement with the alcohol industry. "I do think there is a problem - at the very least, in terms of perception," she wrote to Old, in emails released under the Official Information Act. The alcohol industry's fight against Local Alcohol Policies - where communities set their own conditions for sale - revealed its motivations, Mill said. It contrasted with the "lack of community voice and power". RNZ's reporting revealed a series of emails between Bell and alcohol lobbyists, which showed close relationships, multiple meetings and exchanges of information. "I think the tone of the emails was way too friendly," Mills, whose career includes serving as Medical Director for Médecins Sans Frontières' and as Medical Officer of Health in Northland, said in her email to Old. "In my experience… these alcohol interests have zero interest in reducing harm (or sales of booze) and a huge purse to fund their lawyers." 'Perception becomes reality' Old responded to Mills saying stronger processes for health officials engaging with the alcohol industry were being prepared. "All good points - perception becomes reality after all," he told her. "Given we are expected to engage with industry, whether that's alcohol, food or anything else (except tobacco!) it would help to have some clear rules of engagement. I'm picking that up with our central MOH team." Tobacco lobbyists are shut out of policy making because New Zealand is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Under the FCTC countries protect policy development from the "vested interests of the tobacco industry" as there is an "irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry's interests and public health policy interests". In contrast, the alcohol industry has input into policy development in New Zealand, including managing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and spending the Alcohol Levy, a $16 million fund to reduce alcohol harm, estimated in a 2024 report by NZIER to cost $9.1 billion a year. RNZ used the OIA to obtain 85 pages of emails detailing engagement between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and alcohol lobbyists, with Ross Bell emerging as the main conduit. One document describes a 90 minute meeting between lobbyists and MOH staff in February 2025 as "Alcohol industry reps and Ministry of Health regular meeting". The documents show the plan to manage FASD has been given to the alcohol industry. "Thanks for sharing the draft FASD plan," a wine lobbyist says in an email to public health officials, copying in a lobbyist with the spirits industry. The documents show alcohol lobbyists made their own submissions to MOH on how they believed FASD should be managed. The Spirits New Zealand submission runs to four pages but is entirely redacted by MOH under a section of the OIA designed to protect "the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials". RNZ has asked the Ombudsman to investigate whether the MOH can legitimately use this section of the OIA to protect correspondence from a spirits industry lobbyist. Alcohol industry's input The documents obtained by RNZ show Bell was receptive to requests from the alcohol industry. In November 2024 the Brewer's Association complained to Bell that references to a review of the low risk drinking guidelines were still on the Health New Zealand website, after it had already complained to him about it. It also took issue that the site linked to what other countries, including Canada, were doing with their advice on low-risk drinking. Bell intervened in an email to Health New Zealand in December 2024. "All work on this project will now pause. You will update relevant Health NZ websites to remove references to the review and also to other jurisdictions' guidelines (including the Canadian one)." Bell refused to be interviewed by RNZ but in a previous statement he said the material was removed from the website to avoid confusion, as the drinking guidelines were now led by the Ministry of Health not Health New Zealand which runs the website. He said that was an internal decision by MOH and that a review of the drinking guidelines was now on hold while the ministry considered its priorities. The documents obtained by RNZ show that Bell also shared the Alcohol Levy investment framework with wine and beer lobbyists in a November 2024 email. "As discussed and as promised, attached is the draft Alcohol Levy Investment Framework for your consideration and feedback," he wrote. The alcohol lobbyists then provided at least three pages of feedback on how the money should be spent. But again MOH is keeping all that information secret under the section of the OIA designed to protect "the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials". Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey turned down RNZ's request for information on the Alcohol Levy but did release correspondence from alcohol lobbyists. Those documents included a July 2024 email to Doocey and his Cabinet colleague Shane Reti where the wine, beer and spirits industries pushed for greater involvement in setting alcohol policy. "We still believe industry has a lot to offer as government seeks to reduce harmful drinking," the booze lobbyists wrote. They pointed out that they funded the main education programme which teaches students about the impacts of alcohol. "We also fund, through our own social investment charity - The Tomorrow Project, an in-school theatre-based better drinking education programme called Smashed," the lobbyists told the Ministers. "Smashed is independently run and delivered by The Life Education Trust and reaches over 20,000 year 9 students every year." Filings with the Charities Services show that the beer, wine and spirits industries each paid $105,000 towards The Tomorrow Project, a charity entirely funded by the alcohol industry. The alcohol lobbyists also make a pitch for the government to "partner with industry" in deciding how to spend the Alcohol Levy and say they should be "working directly with officials" on reducing alcohol harm.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Govt urged to impose blanket ban on vape products
KUALA LUMPUR: A Form Two student collapsing on a school rooftop after inhaling a drug-laced vape is just one of many disturbing incidents fuelling renewed calls for the government to impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes. The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) said the growing exploitation of youth, rising public health risks and emerging links to illicit drugs and organised crime require urgent and decisive government action. Its secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said while an immediate ban may not be feasible due to stock and distribution challenges, the government must begin with a strict prohibition on advertising and promotions. He said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which is already in effect, provides a strong legal foundation to enforce restrictions on advertisements, promotions and online sales of vape products, including those containing controlled substances or illicit drugs. He noted that when vape advertisements are openly displayed, it gives the public the impression that these products are permissible. "In physical stores, we understand there may be delays in removing vape displays due to cost and logistical issues. But for electronic boards, shopfronts or highway billboards, all it takes is a directive to take them down and yet, they continue to run," he said at a press conference titled 'Drugs in Vape', held in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 and World No Tobacco Day, at the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) headquarters here on Thursday (June 26). Also present was Hashim Anang, Pemadam media and promotion bureau chairman as well as a member of the National Anti-Drug Council, a non-governmental coalition. Despite growing awareness of vape-related harm, Muhammad Sha'ani said many students continue to smuggle the devices into schools, often hiding them under motorcycle seats along with mobile phones. He cited the case of a Form Two student in Perlis who reportedly became intoxicated after using a so-called "mushroom vape", resulting in a dangerous incident that required police intervention. He added that allowing vape industry players to negotiate regulations would only benefit corporate interests while putting public health, particularly that of the younger generation, at continued risk. Even more alarming, he said, were recent findings by the police showing that some seized vape liquids contained not only nicotine but also illicit drugs. "Malaysia has already committed to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2003, which outlines the eventual phasing out of the tobacco industry. We have declared 2040 as the tobacco endgame. "The same commitment must apply to vape. This is not an ordinary business, it is a growing threat to public health," he stressed. – Bernama
The Star
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
WHO: Malaysia deserves award for tobacco control efforts
A file picture of Dzulkefly receiving the award from WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland on May 20, 2025. – WHO/Pierre Albouy DUBLIN: The World Health Organization (WHO) has "no doubt" that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad will safeguard the public health of Malaysians. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat senior lawyer Kate Lannan said the minister, who was among the recipients of a prestigious WHO award last month, had been "carefully vetted and clearly researched" before being acknowledged for his contributions. "The award is an important recognition of the progress Malaysia (has achieved in tobacco control). "The recipients have done a great job. And, there is no doubt in our minds that the minister will protect public heath in Malaysia. We have every confidence in that," she said when asked to comment on Malaysia issuing a nicotine manufacturing licence to a company after three Health Ministry officials were acknowledged by the global body recently. Lannan was speaking during a press conference at the World Conference on Tobacco Control on Tuesday (June 24). At the opening session of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on May 19, three Malaysians – Dr Dzulkefly, the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) president Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, were honoured with the WHO World No Tobacco Day Award, making it a first for the country. Three days later on May 22, a Nasdaq-listed vape company based in California, the United States, revealed that it had received the "first and only nicotine manufacturing license" from the government that allows it to begin manufacturing nicotine products in Malaysia immediately, causing the ministry to come under fire. Lannan said it is not the role of the Secretariat to take a party to task for elements not specifically covered in the FCTC. "But what this indicates to me is that this is an example of interference by the industry in public health. The Health Minister may not have known about this as there are other ministers involved," she said. On June 2, the ministry said the issuance of interim licence was under the purview of the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. And, while the import, manufacture and distribution of e-cigarette liquids are legal, it will be strictly regulated under the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024. "Any decision related to the import, manufacture and distribution of e-cigarette liquids are made collectively by the relevant government agencies. "The Health Ministry (however) is committed to ensuring maximum enforcement and monitoring to protect the health and safety of the public," it said in a press release.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
WHO lauds India's tobacco control tool of warning labels on cigarette packs: What we did right
Health warnings are an effective way to help people quit tobacco use and WHO has identified India among the countries having the best practices in graphic health warning labels in 2024. The WHO's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report reveals that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), that make the harms of tobacco impossible to ignore. Currently, 110 countries with a total of five billion people are protected by strong graphic health warnings. This is an increase of 101 countries and 4.7 billion people since 2007. The average size of warnings has increased from 28% in 2007 to almost 60% in 2024. Dr Vinayak Mohan Prasad, head of the Global Tobacco Control Programme, WHO HQ, Geneva told The Indian Express that India had achieved the highest status in O and W categories, O meaning offering help to quit tobacco use and W meaning warning labels. It is in the second highest category for other measures including M, which means monitoring and mass media. 'Health warnings on cigarette packs are among the largest in the world at 85 per cent. Only 10 countries have a larger graphic health warning,' he said. While WHO officials said that adult daily smoking prevalence in India in 2023 was seven per cent, they have not made estimates for smokeless tobacco use. According to Dr Prasad, the prevalence of current tobacco use among adults in the country is trending down and is on track to meet the 2025 NCD GAP target (Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs, which includes tobacco control as a way of reducing premature mortality by one-third by 2030). 'However prevalence is still higher than the global average. The largest population (National Family Health Survey 2021) shows 38 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women are current users of tobacco while the global average in 2021 was 35 per cent among men and 8 per cent among women,' Dr Prasad said. He explained that smoking rates were lower than smokeless tobacco use among adults (Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2017 showed 11 per cent smoking and 21 per cent using smokeless tobacco). Among children aged 13-15 (Global Youth Tobacco Survey-2019) 8 per cent are using tobacco (7 per cent smoking and 4 per cent us smokeless tobacco) with little difference between boys and girls. Other than warning labels, India has banned smoking at all indoor public places, but still allows designated smoking rooms at restaurants/drinking facilities/nightclubs with a seating capacity of 30 or more as well as at airports and hotels. The government has banned direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships across all forms of media, including television, radio, print and digital platforms. 'However there is no ban on internet sales and India should completely ban advertising of tobacco products at points of sale,' said Dr Prasad. The WHO report said that India is reinforcing its commitment to public health and positioning itself as a pioneer in adapting regulation to evolving media consumption trends. However, it highlighted how the tobacco tax is the least-adopted measure though it's the most effective and efficient way to reduce tobacco use. In India cigarettes are still affordable as per the report. In 2024 only 15% of the world's population living in 40 countries were protected by tax at 75% or more of the price of the most popular brand of cigarette. (The author is in Dublin on the invitation of Vital Strategies) Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
