CONSUMER advocacy group Consumer Choice Philippines (CCP) yesterday called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to be more open to modern technologies that can help reduce the harm of smoking.
In a statement, the CCP said it is imperative for the WHO to listen to the positions of consumers, particularly smokers, who are looking to use less harmful smoking technologies.
“Consumers should be heard, and the WHO should respect their rights to have access to smoke-free products that lessen their exposure to harmful substances,” said Consumer Choice Philippines Chairman Adolph Ilas.
“As we look toward the next decade of tobacco control, it’s time for the WHO to learn from these experiences and incorporate harm reduction more fully into its framework,” he added.
The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) asked the WHO to respect adult choices.
In particular, it said smokers and ex-smokers must be treated as capable adults who can be provided with accurate information and a range of less harmful alternatives.
“Smokers and ex-smokers want to be treated as capable adults making informed decisions, not as subjects of a paternalistic nanny state,” said the WVA.
“Policies that respect individual autonomy while providing accurate information are more likely to succeed,” it added.
