ADVOCACY groups yesterday scored the World Health Organization (WHO) for its persistent opposition to vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.
In a statement, Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP) president Anton Israel said the WHO’s position has prevented millions of smokers from switching to less harmful smoke-free products and quitting.
“Smokers now have many options, whether it is e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, or nicotine pouches. Therefore, consumers should be allowed to choose products which are less harmful to them,” said Israel.
The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) echoed the NUCP’s stand in urging the WHO to change its stand on tobacco harm reduction products.
“The WHO’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge the potential of harm-reduction strategies, particularly vaping, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn products, has not only hindered smoking cessation efforts but has likely cost millions of lives,” said the WVA.
The WVA stressed that vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, and other smoke-free harm reduction products are the most effective tools to quit smoking.
