In the interest of public health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged member nations of its global tobacco treaty to ban or regulate the use of e-cigarettes and other novel products of the tobacco industry.
This call was made during a virtual media briefing by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals on the global tobacco treaty.
According to the National Institutes of Health, e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices used to heat liquid into a vapour that can be inhaled. The WHO’s global tobacco treaty is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms everyone’s right to the highest standard of health.
Prior to the 10th Conference of Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Panama, the Treaty Officer, Legal Affairs at WHO FCTC, Sabina Jacazzi, explained that the tobacco industry’s novel and emerging products fall under the category of tobacco products.
She highlighted that the COP has adopted decisions on novel and emerging tobacco products, including heated tobacco products and Electronic Nicotine and Non-nicotine delivery systems, clarifying that HTPs are tobacco products and are subject to the WHO FCTC.
She encouraged checking the reports by WHO and the Convention Secretariat that will be considered at COP10, which are available online, in relation to the latest scientific evidence and policy recommendations on these products.
At this event, experts from around the world, including Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, shared their insights.
In his speech, Akinbode Oluwafemi highlighted the global decline in smoking but revealed that the tobacco industry was adopting new tactics to deceive government officials and ensnare the public.
Ban use of e-cigarette – WHO