COP10 is about to open, and a New Zealand organization calls on the delegation to support safer nico

The Asia-Pacific Consumer Advocacy Alliance (CAPHRA) is urging the New Zealand government delegation to support safer nicotine products at the World Health Organization meeting, rather than viewing them as a threat to tobacco control.

According to a report by Scoop Media on October 16, CAPHRA has warned the New Zealand government delegation heading to the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

“Government officials need to be aware that their support for COP10 resolutions could negatively impact the future of safer nicotine products,” said Nancy Loucas, a harm reduction advocate, public health policy expert, and CAPHRA executive coordinator.

Ms. Loucas stated, “The GSTHR analysis confirms the importance of these decisions for the future of these products, yet they are ignored during the conference.” The publicly available briefing titled “FCTC COP10 Agenda and Supporting Documents: Implications for the Future of Tobacco Harm Reduction” reveals that safer nicotine products are viewed as a threat to tobacco control rather than tools to support smoking cessation and reduce high-risk tobacco use.

“Safer nicotine products have the potential to change the game in combating tobacco-related harm,” Ms. Loucas said. “However, the current narrative at COP10 does not reflect this potential. Instead, they are seen as threats, which could have serious implications for public health.”

CAPHRA urges governments and policymakers to consider the evidence presented in this briefing and recognize the potential of safer nicotine products as harm reduction tools. “The decisions made at COP10 will shape the future of tobacco harm reduction,” Ms. Loucas added. “We urge all stakeholders to consider the evidence and make decisions that prioritize public health and harm reduction—consumers' lives are at stake.”