Protecting Access to Safer Nicotine Alternatives: How to Resist WHO's Threats at COP10

The Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is set to hold its 10th session this November, and once again, vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates are concerned about the potential threats that could come from it. As the FCTC has postponed discussions around smokeless and heated tobacco products and novel and emerging tobacco products until 2023, it is expected that the focus will be on e-cigarettes and vaping products. The New Nicotine Alliance (NNA), a UK charity advocating for tobacco harm reduction, is urging vapers and harm reduction advocates to take action to protect their rights and access to safer nicotine alternatives.

In this article, we will discuss the potential threats posed by COP10 and how UK vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates can take action to protect their rights.

The Threats Posed by COP10

The NNA has highlighted several potential threats posed by COP10 that could harm vapers and harm reduction efforts:

• A ban on all open system vaping products
• A ban of all flavors except tobacco
• A ban on nicotine salts in vaping products
• Regulating products so that they are all exactly the same and restrict delivery of nicotine
• Demanding that countries around the world treat vaping and heated tobacco products the same as combustible tobacco
• Taxation at the same rate as cigarettes, banning use where smoking is prohibited, large graphic health warnings, plain packaging, and a ban on all advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

These threats could severely limit access to safer nicotine alternatives and undermine tobacco harm reduction efforts globally.

How to Take Action

The NNA is urging UK vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates to take action to protect their rights and access to safer nicotine alternatives. Here are some of the ways to do so:

• Write to your MP and express your objections to these real threats. Tell them why these products are so important and why WHO threats must be resisted. Ask them to pass on your concerns to the government and insist the UK stands up for vaping and other non-combustible nicotine alternatives to smoking.

• Write to the FCTC “focal point” person in the UK. Each country which sends a delegation to the conference has a “focal point” person who passes information between the FCTC Bureau and the national government. Tell the focal point that you wish to know what current plans are being communicated from the FCTC Bureau to the UK government and vice versa. Ask them for updates, meeting minutes and other information about the COP10 process.

• Be polite but persistent, tell your story. It is always important to be polite when contacting MPs, focal points, and other political influencers. If you are a consumer, do tell your story about how reduced risk products work for you. If you feel you have not been answered adequately, reply to emphasize that you consider this to be important and you wish your concerns to be taken seriously.

• Share your letters and replies with us. Do share your letters with us and any replies that you receive. As the year progresses, the COP10 process will evolve and we will give updates on the NNA website. Your actions can help us to assess what is happening and enable us to advise what supporters and consumers can do next to head off the WHO’s threats.

Conclusion

COP10 poses a significant threat to the future of vaping and tobacco harm reduction efforts globally. The potential bans and restrictions could limit access to safer nicotine alternatives and harm reduction efforts. However, vapers and harm reduction advocates can take action to protect their rights and access to safer nicotine alternatives. By writing to MPs, the FCTC focal point person , being polite but persistent, and sharing their letters and replies, they can help to resist the WHO's threats and ensure that harm reduction efforts are not undermined. It is essential to raise awareness of the potential threats posed by COP10 and to take action to protect the rights of vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates.

FAQs:

What is the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)?
The Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the governing body of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a global treaty to reduce the consumption and prevalence of tobacco use.

What are the potential threats posed by COP10?
The potential threats posed by COP10 include bans on open system vaping products, all flavors except tobacco, and nicotine salts in vaping products. There is also a possibility of regulating products so that they are all exactly the same, limiting the delivery of nicotine, and treating vaping and heated tobacco products the same as combustible tobacco.

How can UK vapers and tobacco harm reduction advocates take action to protect their rights?
They can write to their MP expressing their objections to the potential threats and why safer nicotine alternatives must be protected. They can also write to the FCTC focal point person in the UK and be polite but persistent while telling their story.

Why is it important to protect access to safer nicotine alternatives?
Safer nicotine alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and vaping products, have been shown to be effective in reducing harm from tobacco use. Limiting access to these products can harm public health and undermine tobacco harm reduction efforts.

How can sharing letters and replies help in resisting the WHO's threats?
Sharing letters and replies can help raise awareness of the potential threats and enable supporters and consumers to take action against them. It also helps to assess what is happening and advise what supporters and consumers can do next to head off the WHO's threats.