At Hostile COP10, Threats to Tobacco Harm Reduction Postponed

The World Health Organization's COP10 conference on tobacco control took place in Panama after being postponed. The conference excluded supporters of tobacco harm reduction, suggesting bans on vaping products and enforcing strict regulations. Critics, like Nancy Loucas, condemned the conference's lack of transparency. Although the conference achieved consensus on some measures, proposals against safer nicotine products were pushed back to COP11 in 2025. Dissent from some delegations prevented further restrictive measures. Advocates expressed disappointment in countries like the UK and Canada for not supporting harm reduction.