A group of speakers discussed the importance of harm reduction as a means of promoting safer alternatives to smoking.
The speakers included Dr. Chaira Marie Dimla, medical professional; Prof. Dr. Rohan Savio Sequeira, a distinguished consultant cardio-metabolic physician; Dr. Lorenzo Mata, a distinguished expert in harm reduction and the president of Quit For Good; Martin Cullip, a British libertarian pro-tobacco blogger; Jeffrey Zamora, president of Asovape Costa Rica; Suely Castro, events manager for the Knowledge-Action-Change Foundation; Jay Jazul, assistant professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and a resident researcher at the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education; and Dr. Pacifico Calderon, chair of the Professionalism, Medical Ethics, and Humanities Department of SLMCCM-WHQM.
The forum aimed to empower individuals, communities, and governments to make informed health-related decisions by providing accessible information, engaging discussions, and a supportive environment to help people understand the benefits of harm reduction.
The first speaker was Cullip, who emphasized the importance of consumer engagement and why the World Health Organization (WHO) should listen to those most affected by harm reduction policies. Zamora then talked about the current situation of harm reduction for people who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking in LATAM, while Castro addressed the gap in harm reduction knowledge, advocacy, and policy.
After the morning break, Jagannath Sarangapani talked about the battle between tobacco harm reduction advocates and prohibitionists in India, the largest battleground for this issue. Dr. Rohan Sequiera then presented a healthcare perspective on regulating instead of banning tobacco products.
Attendees had the opportunity to network and connect with other individuals interested in harm reduction during lunch. After lunch, Mata discussed saving smokers’ lives through policy and regulation. Dimla then presented on pediatric anticipatory guidance, followed by Jazul who discussed the perception of local pharmacists in Metro Manila regarding the regulation of heated tobacco products. Calderon closed out the speaker presentations with a discussion on ethical considerations in harm reduction.
After the afternoon break, attendees had the chance to watch the premiere of the sCOPe documentary, which highlighted the importance of harm reduction. This was followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session moderated by Cullip. The panelists included Joey Dulay, Sequiera, Clarisse Virgino, Jan Walsh, and Nancy Loucas.
The program wrapped up with the signing of the Western Pacific Declaration, a call to action for governments to prioritize harm reduction policies. Attendees had the chance to hear acknowledgements from Dr. Ronald Cabral, and closing remarks from Dr. Arleen Reyes.
During the discussion, Dimla emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where teenagers can share their concerns and receive guidance on various topics including nutrition, tobacco, alcohol, sexual behavior, mental health, and injury prevention.
Moreover, Calderon stressed the need for ethical decision-making that balances individual autonomy with the goal of harm reduction, prioritizing the greater good and calling for transparency.
Jazul highlighted the importance of a regulatory approach to these products that strikes a balance between harm reduction and public health considerations.
Mata emphasized the need for smokers to be educated about their options and empowered to make decisions that can redefine their future for the better.
Castro expressed that policies are necessary for smokers to have healthier alternatives, while Zamora discussed the influence of foreign powers pushing for bans and restrictions for these products in Latin America.
Finally, Sequeira called for a standardized, prescription-based approach that encourages research and engagement to reduce myths, while Cullip emphasized the need to continuously reaffirm the benefits of harm reduction and convince policymakers to include a more innovative approach in tobacco control strategies.