The discussion included founding Chairman of ATHRA (Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association) Dr Colin Mendelsohn, who discussed the imminent restrictions for Australian vapers, going into effect on October 1st.
The episode also shared updates on THR public policy taking place in Malaysia and Mexico, and announced the launch of a new global advocacy initiative which encourages sharing smoking cessation success stories from around the world.
Led by Nancy Loucas, the TAV 8 panel included Asia Pacific THR consumer advocates: Peter Paul Dator from the Philippines (Director of Vapers PH), Asa Saligupta (Director of ECST – ENDs Cigarette Smoke Thailand) and Samsul Kamal Ariffin (President of MOVE – Malaysian Organization of Vape Entities), and mainly focused on the impacts of the WHO report on consumers.
The damaging current misinformation narrative
Most importantly it discussed what can, and should be, done to counter the current misinformation narrative with regards to smoking cessation. “Consumer advocates are increasingly angry that the WHO continues to promote its baseless and incredibly destructive view on vaping. It comes despite leading scientific evidence confirming vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking and is the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool,” says Loucas.
She highlighted that the WHO seems to be set on destroying the harm reduction tool which has the highest success rate at helping people quit and therefore minimize disease. “The very organization charged with looking after our health continues to ramp up its efforts to deny people who smoke access to products that give them the chance to have a long and healthy life.”
