CAPHRA Marks World No Tobacco Day with a Call for Science-Based Policy

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - May 11, 2026 - PRLog -- Championing the Science of Harm Reduction

"Despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the reduced risk of vaping compared to combustible tobacco products, the WHO continues to ignore the facts and mislead the public," said Nancy Loucas, a prominent New Zealand public health consumer advocate and executive coordinator of CAPHRA.

Products such as e-cigarettes, snus, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) provide a significantly less harmful alternative for millions of adult smokers seeking to reduce their health risks.

"These products, including e-cigarettes, snus, and heated tobacco products (HTPs), offer a viable alternative for millions of smokers seeking to reduce their health risks. The GSTHR reports have shown that these alternatives are not only effective in reducing harm but also play a significant role in public health by providing accessible and acceptable options for smokers worldwide," said Ms Loucas.

Confronting WHO's Exclusion and Misinformation

CAPHRA has consistently condemned the WHO's exclusion of consumer voices and harm reduction advocates—particularly evident during the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11). According to the coalition, this exclusion is not merely an oversight but a deliberate strategy to suppress critical discussions on tobacco harm reduction.

"One of the most egregious aspects of the WHO's stance is its use of children as pawns to propagate the false narrative that safer nicotine products are not a tobacco harm reduction method" said Nancy Loucas.

"This disinformation campaign not only undermines the credibility of harm reduction efforts but also jeopardises the health of millions of adult smokers who could benefit from switching to safer alternatives."

CAPHRA argues that the WHO's refusal to acknowledge the science behind reduced-risk products betrays its own founding principle of "Health For All."

"The WHO's ongoing disinformation campaign is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the real issue: the need for effective strategies to help smokers quit. Accusing harm reduction advocates of collusion with big tobacco is not just false, it's a deliberate attempt to undermine the potential for life-saving innovations," Loucas added.

A Global Call to Action

On this year's World Vape Day, CAPHRA is calling on policymakers, public health professionals, and the media to stand up for science and advocate for evidence-based tobacco harm reduction strategies.

Nancy Loucas emphasised, "It's time for the WHO and FCTC to listen to consumers and integrate harm reduction into their policies. Only then can we tackle both the public health crisis of smoking and the escalating illicit tobacco trade."

She concluded, "The WHO's stance not only ignores the evidence supporting these strategies but also undermines the global fight against the tobacco epidemic."

https://www.caphraorg.net