Latest news with #WHO-endorsed
Malaysian Reserve
28-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Global Experts Warn WHO's Anti-Harm Reduction Stance Undermines World No Tobacco Day
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A panel of global tobacco harm reduction experts convened this week to criticize the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat for undermining the goals of World No Tobacco Day. The group expressed frustration over the WHO's refusal to support harm reduction tools—such as vaping and nicotine pouches—despite growing evidence of their effectiveness in helping smokers quit. Participants from Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom argued that the WHO's prohibitionist approach is counterproductive, exacerbating smoking-related deaths and fueling black markets. Martin Cullip, International Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said the WHO is ignoring the populations most at risk. 'The WHO dismisses adult smokers and vapers, even though adults bear the vast majority of tobacco-related harm,' he said. 'It's odd to see the organization celebrate bans on products that aren't even made from tobacco.' Pippa Starr, founder of A.L.I.V.E. (Australia, Let's Improve Vaping Education), highlighted Australia's challenges. 'Australia has a massive black market and 66 people die daily from smoking-related disease,' she said. 'These outcomes are tied to WHO-endorsed policies. Rather than reward failed approaches, the WHO should be focused on saving lives.' Kurt Yeo, co-founder of South Africa's Vaping Saved My Life (VSML), criticized the WHO's detachment from on-the-ground realities. 'WHO policies are scripted and disconnected,' Yeo said. 'We need a full range of tools to achieve a smoke-free future. Prohibition has failed in countries like Mexico, India, and Singapore. The WHO isn't facing the real issues.' Reem Ibrahim, Communications Manager at the UK's Institute of Economic Affairs, said the WHO is ignoring the evidence. 'Harm reduction works. These products help people quit. But the WHO's strategy blocks access and ultimately harms public health.' Panelists emphasized the contradiction in the WHO's mission: while claiming to reduce tobacco deaths, it continues to oppose safer alternatives proven to help smokers quit. The group urged the WHO and FCTC to embrace innovation, listen to consumers, and support harm reduction as a legitimate path to ending the global smoking epidemic.
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Global Experts Warn WHO's Anti-Harm Reduction Stance Undermines World No Tobacco Day
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 /CNW/ -- A panel of global tobacco harm reduction experts convened this week to criticize the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat for undermining the goals of World No Tobacco Day. The group expressed frustration over the WHO's refusal to support harm reduction tools—such as vaping and nicotine pouches—despite growing evidence of their effectiveness in helping smokers quit. Participants from Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom argued that the WHO's prohibitionist approach is counterproductive, exacerbating smoking-related deaths and fueling black markets. Martin Cullip, International Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said the WHO is ignoring the populations most at risk. "The WHO dismisses adult smokers and vapers, even though adults bear the vast majority of tobacco-related harm," he said. "It's odd to see the organization celebrate bans on products that aren't even made from tobacco." Pippa Starr, founder of A.L.I.V.E. (Australia, Let's Improve Vaping Education), highlighted Australia's challenges. "Australia has a massive black market and 66 people die daily from smoking-related disease," she said. "These outcomes are tied to WHO-endorsed policies. Rather than reward failed approaches, the WHO should be focused on saving lives." Kurt Yeo, co-founder of South Africa's Vaping Saved My Life (VSML), criticized the WHO's detachment from on-the-ground realities. "WHO policies are scripted and disconnected," Yeo said. "We need a full range of tools to achieve a smoke-free future. Prohibition has failed in countries like Mexico, India, and Singapore. The WHO isn't facing the real issues." Reem Ibrahim, Communications Manager at the UK's Institute of Economic Affairs, said the WHO is ignoring the evidence. "Harm reduction works. These products help people quit. But the WHO's strategy blocks access and ultimately harms public health." Panelists emphasized the contradiction in the WHO's mission: while claiming to reduce tobacco deaths, it continues to oppose safer alternatives proven to help smokers quit. The group urged the WHO and FCTC to embrace innovation, listen to consumers, and support harm reduction as a legitimate path to ending the global smoking epidemic.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Global Experts Warn WHO's Anti-Harm Reduction Stance Undermines World No Tobacco Day
WASHINGTON, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A panel of global tobacco harm reduction experts convened this week to criticize the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat for undermining the goals of World No Tobacco Day. The group expressed frustration over the WHO's refusal to support harm reduction tools—such as vaping and nicotine pouches—despite growing evidence of their effectiveness in helping smokers quit. Participants from Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom argued that the WHO's prohibitionist approach is counterproductive, exacerbating smoking-related deaths and fueling black markets. Martin Cullip, International Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said the WHO is ignoring the populations most at risk. "The WHO dismisses adult smokers and vapers, even though adults bear the vast majority of tobacco-related harm," he said. "It's odd to see the organization celebrate bans on products that aren't even made from tobacco." Pippa Starr, founder of A.L.I.V.E. (Australia, Let's Improve Vaping Education), highlighted Australia's challenges. "Australia has a massive black market and 66 people die daily from smoking-related disease," she said. "These outcomes are tied to WHO-endorsed policies. Rather than reward failed approaches, the WHO should be focused on saving lives." Kurt Yeo, co-founder of South Africa's Vaping Saved My Life (VSML), criticized the WHO's detachment from on-the-ground realities. "WHO policies are scripted and disconnected," Yeo said. "We need a full range of tools to achieve a smoke-free future. Prohibition has failed in countries like Mexico, India, and Singapore. The WHO isn't facing the real issues." Reem Ibrahim, Communications Manager at the UK's Institute of Economic Affairs, said the WHO is ignoring the evidence. "Harm reduction works. These products help people quit. But the WHO's strategy blocks access and ultimately harms public health." Panelists emphasized the contradiction in the WHO's mission: while claiming to reduce tobacco deaths, it continues to oppose safer alternatives proven to help smokers quit. The group urged the WHO and FCTC to embrace innovation, listen to consumers, and support harm reduction as a legitimate path to ending the global smoking epidemic. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Times of Oman
13-04-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
Forum discusses water safety plans
Muscat: Deliberations of the 'Water Safety Forum', organised by the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) began today. The five-day event is being held in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), several government and private entities, and over 40 representatives from licensed water sector companies. It aims to enhance the preparedness of water sector institutions in implementing water safety plans, improving operational oversight, and ensuring water quality across distribution, storage, and transportation stages. The event aligns with WHO technical guidelines and seeks to strengthen the sector's regulatory and supervisory framework. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Dr. Mansour Talib Al Hinai, APSR Chairman, who emphasised the Authority's ongoing efforts to develop Oman's water sector regulatory framework. He highlighted the importance of enabling operators to adopt proactive risk management practices and enhance safety measures. In his turn, Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman, stated that the training program to be delivered during the forum will bolster the development and implementation of water safety plans, ensuring their sustainability while equipping participants with new expertise. He reaffirmed WHO's commitment to supporting Oman in achieving the highest water safety standards. The forum's agenda features five specialised training phases spread across five days, covering a comprehensive range of theoretical and applied topics. The first day focuses on foundational concepts of water safety plans and the importance of forming multidisciplinary teams—including engineers, public health experts, and quality specialists—to develop integrated and effective strategies. Day two addresses risk assessment tools and identifying vulnerabilities in distribution systems, alongside scientific models for prioritising improvements and establishing safety and compliance indicators. The third day centres on building an operational monitoring system based on accurate, real-time data, incorporating live surveillance techniques and quality verification methods for critical stages, as well as institutional documentation mechanisms. The fourth day includes hands-on training through a field visit to main reservoirs in Al Khoudh, the Wilayat of A'Seeb, where participants will conduct practical assessments of emergency plans and test system resilience under crisis scenarios. The forum concludes on the fifth day with a review of evaluation tools and case studies of WHO-endorsed plans used to refine institutional policies and ensure continuous improvement in water quality management systems. Through this forum, the Authority for Public Services Regulation seeks to establish a comprehensive, science-based approach to water service management, fostering a national system grounded in prevention, oversight, and efficiency. The initiative aims to enhance the sustainability of water services, improve operational transparency and compliance, and expand international cooperation while leveraging technical expertise to support institutional development and strengthen Oman's water security.
