Filipino stakeholders asked the country’s delegation to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to defend and present the Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vape Law, as a model for tobacco harm reduction.
They called for a balanced stand reflecting both public health and consumer welfare during the week-long conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Advocates argue that WHO policies often disregard scientific evidence and consumer experiences. They warn that overly restrictive policies could inadvertently push smokers back to traditional cigarettes instead of encouraging the use of safer alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
They claimed that it is the smoke from burning tobacco, not nicotine, that causes smoking-related diseases. While nicotine is addictive, they said it can be delivered without harmful smoke.
Consumer group Vaper Ako expressed concern that proposals at the global meeting could eliminate consumer choice and restrict access to products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, potentially reversing public health gains in the Philippines. The group said less harmful alternatives have helped many Filipino smokers move away from traditional cigarettes.
They emphasized the need for science-based policy, reiterating that “it is the smoke from burning tobacco, not nicotine, that causes smoking-related diseases.” They added that adult smokers should have access to accurate information and less harmful alternatives.
Vaper Ako warned that excessive restrictions and bans risk pushing consumers back to cigarettes or into unregulated markets, undermining public health goals. They also called for inclusive, evidence-based policymaking, highlighting the importance of a multisectoral approach involving health experts, scientists, consumers, and other sectors. The group said the government should help achieve a country where Filipinos have better choices and are not left dependent on harmful cigarettes.
They noted that the Philippine delegation this year should follow the example set in Panama during COP10 in February 2024, where the country presented its “tailored, multi-sectoral approach” to FCTC implementation, advocating for harm reduction and adherence to national laws, including the Vape Law.
Aligned with these positions, the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) called for evidence-based regulation and consumer inclusion in global tobacco control discussions. The WVA said harm reduction is “not a marketing gimmick, but a public health necessity backed by science and real-world data.”
WVA director Michael Landl criticized the current WHO FCTC process, saying COP has become an “echo chamber for outdated anti-science policies stuck in the past.” WVA director of operations Liza Katsiashvili also cautioned that “banning flavors in vaping won’t protect anyone, but will only send smokers straight back to cigarettes.” She added that “heavy taxes and outright bans drive people to the black market.”
WVA said FCTC delegates now face a choice: “learn from fact or keep repeating the same costly mistakes.” The group also held a protest at the COP11 venue demanding consumer representation in decisions affecting harm reduction products, saying consumers must have a voice in matters that threaten products like vaping and nicotine pouches.
