The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling out the rampant misinformation about tobacco harm reduction as blatant propaganda perpetuated by factions within the tobacco control community. These factions refuse to accept the proven role of reduced-risk products in helping people quit smoking, thereby undermining public health efforts.
Recent commentary and reports have highlighted a disturbing trend of disinformation about safer nicotine products.
“It is spread by those who are ideologically opposed to harm reduction strategies, despite mounting evidence that safer nicotine products (SNPs) can significantly reduce smoking rates and associated health risks,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.
“The quantity and depth of this campaign makes it clear that certain factions within the tobacco control community are more interested in maintaining their prohibitionist stance than in embracing evidence-based harm reduction strategies that can save lives.”
Studies have consistently shown that vaping and other SNPs are far less harmful than smoking combustible tobacco. Furthermore, countries that have adopted harm reduction strategies, such as the UK and New Zealand, have seen significant declines in smoking rates.
“The refusal to acknowledge the benefits of SNPs is not just misguided; it is dangerous. By spreading disinformation, these groups are effectively discouraging people who smoke from switching to less harmful alternatives, thereby perpetuating the smoking epidemic,” said Ms Loucas.
CAPHRA is calling on governments and public health bodies to promote accurate information to ensure that public health messaging about SNPs is based on the best available scientific evidence and to embrace harm reduction strategies as a key component of tobacco control policies.
“We must move beyond the outdated ‘quit or die’ mentality and recognise that harm reduction is a vital tool in the fight against smoking-related diseases,” Loucas emphasised.
CONTACT
Nancy Loucas,
Executive Coordinator CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates)
Mobile: +64272348643
Web: https://caphraorg.net/
