As the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Conference of the Parties (COP11) unfolds in Geneva, the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) hails New Zealand's delegation for its courageous endorsement of evidence-based tobacco harm reduction.

New Zealand's representatives declared in plenary: "Since 2019 smoking rates have declined more rapidly in association with implementation of tobacco harm reduction measures, particularly regulated access to vaping products". This highlights regulated vaping's role in driving adult smoking down to 6.9 per cent – one of the world's lowest.

CAPHRA celebrates this breakthrough in a forum dominated by ideological opposition. It shows how vaping accelerates cessation, especially among Māori and Pacific communities, challenging the WHO FCTC's prohibitionist agenda.

Yet WHO FCTC officials suppress voices through "insane" registration barriers: passport details, photos, letters of intent, CVs, and COI declarations. Making the process onerous, locks out adult consumers who deserve a seat at the table.

Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas, denied access despite her expertise, condemned this as a betrayal of public health.

"While New Zealand champions vaping's life-saving impact at COP11, WHO FCTC silences consumer voices that could speed global progress," Loucas stated. "This hypocrisy undermines the treaty's original intent. This (mis) interpretation and the misapplication of article 5.3 undermines the credibility of the process."

Social media from FCTCcopwatch on X amplifies the frustration. Event reports confirm New Zealand's emphasis on vaping as key to smokefree success since 2019 – a narrative missing from the official agenda.

CAPHRA demands reform: ensure transparency and integrate harm reduction as endorsed within the treaty worldwide. "We are hopeful that New Zealand's statement may embolden other delegations who also support Harm Reduction to speak out, or at the very least, question the motivation of the FCTC Secretariat and 'approved' NGO organisations to promote deadly disinformation".

About CAPHRA

CAPHRA Position Statement on Industry Independence:

• The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Advocates (CAPHRA) is a regional alliance of consumer tobacco harm reduction advocacy organisations. CAPHRA is not related to, or funded by any commercial interests. It is composed of volunteer consumer advocates from the Asia Pacific Region. We hope putting forward this information would clarify any doubt as to our interests and intentions.
• CAPHRA stays committed to its mission to educate, advocate and represent the right of adult alternative nicotine consumers to access and use of products that reduce harm from tobacco use. We advocate for the rights of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region to access and use evidence-based, regulated, and properly marketed harm reduction products as a means of reducing the devastating impact of smoking-related diseases.

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