The WHO has been slammed in an open letter from experts around the globe for cautioning young people against using vaping products as an alternative to conventional cigarettes.
An open letter drafted by 100 experts has berated the World Health Organisation for its strong stance against vaping products, claiming the global health body’s unwillingness to endorse the smoke-free products has contributed to “millions of smoke-related deaths”.
Addressed to Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ahead of a meeting next month on tobacco control during a global health crisis, the letter urges members to take a “more questioning and assertive approach to the WHO’s advocacy on smoke-free alternative to smoking”.
The WHO FCTC treaty, in place since 2004, boasts 168 signatories – including the European Union – making it one of the United Nations’ most widely embraced treaties.
The letter informs the Parties there is “compelling evidence smoke-free products are much less harmful than cigarettes and that they can displace smoking for individuals and at the population level”.
It further rebukes the WHO for “rejecting a public health strategy that could avoid millions of smoke-related deaths”.
“Regrettably, WHO has been dismissive of the potential to transform the tobacco market from high-risk to low-risk products.”
The written appeal highlighted seven key points:
Dominica Funnell – Sky News – 2021-10-19.