WHO Urges Global Ban on New E-Cigarettes 

The World Health Organization (WHO) called on member countries to either outlaw or restrict the use of e-cigarettes and other cutting-edge products coming out of the tobacco industry during a virtual media briefing hosted by the Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnationals on the global tobacco treaty.

The plea comes in the run-up to the 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, set to take place in Panama.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat liquid into a vapor for inhalation, according to the National Institutes of Health. Every person has the fundamental right to the best possible standard of health, according to the WHO’s global tobacco treaty, which is regarded as an agreement based on evidence.

During the briefing, Sabina Jacazzi, the WHO FCTC’s Treaty Officer for Legal Affairs, clarified that new and developing products from the tobacco industry are classified as tobacco products.

She emphasized the inclusion of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems under the WHO FCTC regulations, as well as the COP’s prior rulings on heated tobacco products.

“In relation to the latest scientific evidence and policy recommendations on these products, I very much encourage checking the reports (by WHO and the Convention Secretariat) that will be considered at COP10, available online,” explained Jacazzi.

Global experts were present at the event, including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi. Based on the most recent data, Oluwafemi observed a global decline in smoking but voiced concern over the tobacco industry’s use of new strategies to mislead the public and deceive government officials.