PANAMA CITY—A group of tobacco farmers asked the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to include their livelihood among the topics to be discussed at the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) that will decide on the future of the tobacco industry.
Delegates from 183 countries, with different interests, are joining the COP 10 at the Panama Convention Center organized by the WHO FCTC, an international treaty that came into force in 2005. Tobacco farmers are worried that their lack of participation in the discussion would displace their livelihood.
Harmadio Martinez is one of the many farmers rallying near the venue of COP 10 to seek fairness over the WHO and the Panamanian government’s plan to ban tobacco products, including novel and emerging products, which are considered less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes.
Martinez and his family have more than two centuries-worth of tobacco farming experience under their belts, exporting leaves to different areas of Central America. He pleaded with the Panamanian government and the WHO to “take a look at the tobacco farmers and their families, consider their welfare and offer alternatives”.
Lacking representation in the Panama Parliament, farmers seek government support in terms of education, food, and other basic needs as well as alternative livelihood if the delegates attending the COP decide to prohibit new tobacco products. Other public health experts, however, consider the prohibition as “flawed” and without scientific basis.
At the center of the debate is whether vapes, heated tobacco, oral nicotine, and other smoke-free tobacco alternatives can be considered as harmful as conventional cigarettes. Farmers are hoping that these new products will sustain their livelihood.
“The WHO should be truthful about science,” said Martin Cullip, an international fellow at The Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Consumer Center in the United Kingdom.
Cullip particularly criticized the WHO’s definition of aerosols in its 9th Report on the Tobacco Epidemic funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which claims that “aerosols commonly emitted by [heated tobacco products] do fall under the definition of tobacco smoke.”
Dr. Roberto Sussman, an associate professor at Mexico’s National University, also slammed the WHO for redefining smoke for its “political agenda.” He said the WHO report is not scientific, and that cigarette alternatives like vapes and heated tobacco are smoke-free.
Delegates to the COP are debating the regulation of novel and emerging tobacco products, including vapes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, oral nicotine, and other smoke-free alternatives, considered by tobacco harm reduction (THR) experts as crucial in ending the global smoking epidemic affecting 1.3 billion people.
Social Watch Philippines (SWP), a group advocating for pro-health and pro-people policies, asked the Philippine delegates at COP 10 to uphold public health and play their parts as champions of Filipinos’ welfare.
SWP asked delegates consisting of senior government officials and staff to ensure that the public’s well-being remains at the forefront of discussions in the conference.
“As representatives entrusted on the global scene, the delegates should be accountable, transparent, and clear in conveying public interest,” said SWP co-convenor Dr. Maria Victoria Raquiza.
Countries like the Philippines have passed laws regulating these products, while the UK, Japan, and Sweden have seen smoking rates decline after allowing their introduction.
Sussman noted the strong resistance from the WHO and its allies to smoke-free alternatives. “But how come consumption still goes on?” he asked. “It is because millions of consumers are enjoying the products and quitting smoking.”
“This is what will save the day—the consumers. Vapes and heated tobacco products are more widespread and are only 10 percent to 15 percent as dangerous as described. There is a global experiment happening, and hard evidence will prevail,” he said.
“I would say most of them are quitting smoking or smoking much less. And they are not getting sick,” said Dr. Sussman to illustrate the difference between aerosols produced by heated tobacco and smoke generated by conventional cigarettes.
“Detractors may say that’s an anecdote, doesn’t count. Well, I can say, no, it’s not an anecdote. I can support that with my own work. And it is open, it is public, and it can be checked, verified,” said Sussman.
The five-day conference will cover topics such as the regulation of contents and disclosure of tobacco products, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, novel and emerging tobacco products (e-cigarettes), and forward-looking tobacco control measures.
Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Dominic Guevarra, head of the Philippine delegation, reported notable progress in implementing the FCTC, including the passage of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (Republic Act 11900).
Guevarra hailed it as landmark legislation aiming to reduce harm caused by smoking, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, and other novel tobacco products.
Tobacco harm reduction advocates like Dr. Sussman and Cullip are calling on the WHO FCTC to explore science-based innovations, such as harm reduction strategies, to address the global smoking epidemic affecting 1.3 billion globally and provide them options that present far less harm.