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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Cision Canada
AURORA CANNABIS CHS CLASS ACTION CERTIFIED
TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Thousands of Canadian cannabis users are hospitalized and diagnosed with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome ("CHS") every year. CHS is a dangerous side effect that can develop from the regular use of cannabis products. CHS involves cyclical bouts of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, which can persist for days and can occur as often as once every five minutes. In extreme cases, CHS can result in organ failure and even death. On May 14, 2025, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified a national class action which alleges that Aurora Cannabis Inc, and Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. negligently failed to warn consumers of the risk of developing CHS posed by the regular use of their cannabis products. This means that the action can now proceed as a class action. No findings of liability have been made against the defendants. The action was commenced by V.T., a Canadian Forces veteran who was prescribed cannabis to treat medical conditions. V.T. purchased medicinal cannabis from the Defendants, and used it as prescribed, until they suffered two extreme bouts of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that were so severe V.T. had to be hospitalized. On the second E.R. visit, V.T. was diagnosed as suffering from CHS. The only certain cure for CHS is to stop consuming cannabis, which V.T. did, and is now symptom-free. None of the cannabis products that V.T. consumed contained any warning about CHS, nor is there any warning in the product monograph, or on Aurora's website. The claim alleges that the Defendants knew, or should have known, of the risk of CHS arising from the regular use of their cannabis products, but negligently failed to provide any warning to consumers or prescribing physicians about the risk that they could develop CHS. The class action seeks to recover damages for the Class Members who developed CHS. The class action is brought on behalf of all persons in Canada who purchased a Cannabis Product from Aurora Cannabis Inc. or Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. (which includes MedReleaf) on or after February 1, 2014 to May 14, 2025 (the "Class Period") who were diagnosed or differentially diagnosed with CHS during the Class Period after consuming one or more Cannabis Products. Cannabis Products are the cannabis and/or synthetic cannabinoid resins, pills, lozenges, concentrates, oils, edibles, beverages, vapours, and raw and adulterated plant material cultivated, designed, manufactured, packaged, labeled, distributed, marketed, and/or sold by the Defendants. The allegations contained in the Fresh as Amended Statement of Claim have not been proven in court, and the Defendants deny the Plaintiff's claims. . Sotos Class Actions 55 University Avenue, Suite 600 Toronto, ON M5J 2H7 [email protected] 1-877-294-9747 (toll free) For media inquiries, please contact Margaret Waddell by phone at 416.977.2413 or by email at [email protected].
Cision Canada
13 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Ambassadors Accelerate CarePatrol's AlignedCare™ Program
Beta testing begins for proprietary value-based care model driven by advisor insights OTTAWA, Ontario, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- CarePatrol, a leading senior care solutions franchise with more than 200 locations open across 40 states and Canada, is advancing its proprietary AlignedCare™ Value-Based Care (VBC) Certification Program with the selection of its first Ambassador team. The select group of experienced advisors will act as early adopters, leading beta testing and shaping the future for value-based care integration within senior care advisory services. The AlignedCare Program represents a transformative step in how care solutions are guided and recommended. Advisors who complete the certification will be qualified to support families using an evidence-informed model based on outcomes, social determinants of health, and care collaboration. Built on value-based care principles informed by the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, the program enables higher levels of client precision and personalization, while also expanding value-based care partnership networks. Throughout the beta phase, AlignedCare Ambassadors will be applying the model within their current practices and providing critical feedback on assessment tools, strategic workflows, and outcomes tracking. Insights provided and gained during this phase will assist in system-wide implementation. "We're thrilled with the early momentum of the AlignedCare Program and the enthusiasm from our Ambassador team," said Becky Bongiovanni, co-founder and brand president of CarePatrol. "Our advisors are stepping into a leadership role that goes far beyond traditional care advisory. By aligning every recommendation with value-based care principles, we are building a more complete, measurable, and compassionate model for senior care." Each AlignedCare Ambassador plays a vital role in strengthening CarePatrol's mission to strengthen senior care advisory services through professional development, collaboration, and meaningful community impact. This next phase of the initiative builds on CarePatrol's legacy of innovation, using evidence-informed practices to deliver personalized, outcome-focused advisory solutions. A full system-wide rollout of the AlignedCare™ Certification Program is anticipated later this year. About CarePatrol CarePatrol is the nation's largest senior care solutions franchise in the United States. With more than 225 locations sold across 40 states and Canada, local senior advisors provide a no-cost service in helping families find quality, top-rated independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care, and home care. Founded in 1993, CarePatrol began franchising in 2009 and is now part of the Best Life Brands family, with private equity backing by The Riverside Company. CarePatrol is proud to have earned the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for 14 years in a row, including its induction into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and has earned placement on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. For more information, visit
Cision Canada
13 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Sanofi Appoints James Guy as Country Lead, Canada and General Manager, Specialty Care Français
TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Sanofi Canada today announced the appointment of James Guy as Country Lead, Canada and General Manager, Specialty Care. In this role, Guy will lead Sanofi's Canada Country Council, which manages the operations of the company's three business units and functions. Guy will also head the Specialty Care business unit in Canada. Country Lead, Canada and General Manager, Specialty Care "This is an exciting time in Sanofi's history, with the potential for our promising pipeline to deliver several scientific breakthroughs that can improve healthcare around the globe. The company is building on this momentum, leveraging next-gen technology and AI, to turn breakthrough science into reality for patients. I feel privileged to be back home in Canada working with our talented teams; I'm confident that their patient-focused approach will deliver new solutions that will continue to benefit Canadian patients." Guy brings over two decades of pharmaceutical industry experience, including 13 years with Sanofi in global, US, and Canadian leadership roles, most recently as the Immunology Franchise Head in Canada. His prior positions within Sanofi include International Strategic Marketing Director based in the Czech Republic, Respiratory Global Brand Lead based in the US, and Regional Business Director in the US affiliate. A Canadian citizen, Guy holds a in Applied Chemistry & Biology from Toronto Metropolitan University, an in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Bradford (UK), and an MBA from Rutgers University (USA). With over 2,000 employees across the country, Sanofi's operations in Canada include R&D, Commercial, the country's largest biomanufacturing facility, and an AI Centre of Excellence. The company is uniquely positioned to deliver across the full life sciences value chain within Canada. As Country Lead, Guy will chair the Canada Country Council, which includes: About Sanofi We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Our team, across the world, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions. In Canada, we employ over 2,000 people and invest 20% of our revenue annually in biopharma research, representing $1.2 billion CAD in R&D over the last decade, creating jobs, business, and opportunity throughout the country. We are the largest biomanufacturing facility in Canada and are on track to deliver over $2 billion in new infrastructure investments by 2028, including two new vaccine manufacturing facilities at our Toronto Campus. For more than 110 years, we have been working in collaborative partnerships with a vast network of healthcare stakeholders and are committed to creating a healthier future in Canada.
