Stories

Secret negotiations in Geneva under the WHO's FCTC on nicotine pouches involve Denmark and Brazil pushing for a global ban, despite the EU allowing them. The closed-door talks lack transparency, potentially leading to undemocratic laws. Sweden's delegation, split on the ban, faces pressure to align with Parliament's stance. Pouch Patrol urges Sweden to defend nicotine pouches, citing their life-saving benefits. Denmark's attempt to reintroduce a ban through the EU is contentious. The EU mandate does not mention a ban, but Denmark seeks to impose restrictions. Controversy surrounds Brazil and Denmark's proposals.

DAY #5 | Live from Geneva, Switzerland – RegWatch special coverage of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Good COP 2.0, the tobacco harm reduction counter-conference to the World Health Organization’s COP 11.

Annual tobacco tax hikes are set to continue, potentially raising the price of a 20-pack of cigarettes to £17.66. The government aims to discourage smoking through these increases. The cost of rolling tobacco is also expected to rise significantly. Despite price hikes over the years, smoking rates in the UK have declined due to increased awareness of health risks, with a target to become "smoke free" by 2030. Concerns exist over these tax hikes disproportionately affecting low-income smokers and potentially fueling illicit trade. Additionally, new taxes on vaping products may hinder smoking cessation efforts. The Budget may also include tax increases for bookies and the elimination of a fuel duty cut.

As COP30 on climate change wraps up in Brazil, the WHO has opened COP11 in Geneva, its conference focused on nicotine and tobacco, with a Canadian delegation in attendance. For months, the WHO has been preparing new anti-nicotine measures for delegates to approve. Delegates are now tasked with deciding how strict global nicotine policy should become. The WHO’s tobacco-control budget is just over US$1 billion — largely funded by Michael Bloomberg — but the organization says it actually needs US$9 billion to effectively pursue its goal of eliminating nicotine use, an 800% increase.

The Malaysian tobacco and e-cigarette industry faces increasing regulations and taxes, with bans on vape products in several states, and discussions about a nationwide vape ban. Tobacco companies are adjusting to the changes, with British American Tobacco withdrawing a vaping product. The Ministry of Health proposed a vape liquid tax increase, while Japan Tobacco is focusing on heated tobacco products as part of a global shift towards reduced-risk products. Malaysia's illicit cigarette trade is declining, but potential revenue from properly taxing vape products remains untapped. Japan Tobacco plans significant investments in reducing risky products, like heated tobacco sticks, expecting a shift towards smoke-free alternatives.

Nigeria is experiencing increasing health impacts from smoking, and experts argue that harm reduction—not prohibition—is key to saving lives. In this GFN News episode, Joanna Junak interviews Uche Olatunji and Yusuf Adebisi on the major barriers to tobacco harm reduction in Nigeria, including widespread misinformation about nicotine and a lack of educational resources. They discuss community outreach, science-based alternatives, and the critical roles of universities and the media in shifting public perception. Learn how evidence-based harm-reduction strategies can help Nigerians make safer, informed decisions.

DAY #4 | Live from Geneva, Switzerland – RegWatch special coverage of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Good COP 2.0, the tobacco harm reduction counter-conference to the World Health Organization’s COP 11. Good COP 2.0 unites 37 experts from 22 countries to separate fact from fiction and confront the misinformation shaping global health policy.

A wife rushes her husband to the ER for breathing problems, where he's diagnosed with COPD. Stigma surrounds his smoking history, affecting his treatment. The healthcare system offers little support, leaving the wife to research COPD herself. Despite quitting smoking, proper tests weren't done initially. COPD changes their lives drastically, limiting his activities. Stigma persists in healthcare, with misconceptions about nicotine and its relation to diseases like COPD. The couple advocates for better understanding and care for COPD patients. As World COPD Day approaches, the focus shifts to combating stigma, misinformation, and improving care for those affected by COPD.

The Irish government approved banning disposable vapes and imposing restrictions on nicotine products to protect children. The move follows Northern Ireland's ban on single-use vapes. Retailers face fines and jail time for selling single-use e-cigarettes. Legislation will also regulate the sale of other nicotine products and restrict advertising, with new laws under consideration. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill supports the measures to safeguard youth from nicotine harm.

The new Briefing Paper,  “From cigarettes to snuff to nicotine pouches: the unusual Icelandic model for tobacco harm reduction”, is now available. The paper provides an overview of how Iceland has transitioned from high smoking rates to becoming one of the world’s leading examples of tobacco harm reduction. It explains how strict tobacco control measures, combined with the growing availability of lower-risk nicotine products such as snuff, vapes, and especially nicotine pouches, have led to a significant decline in cigarette use. The briefing explains how these products are regulated, how their use has been changing, and what this means for public health. You can read the full document here: gsthr.org.