EXCLUSIVE: “Rethink the status quo” – two former WHO directors call for radical overhaul of global nicotine policy
December 04, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu
EXCLUSIVE: “Rethink the status quo” – two former WHO directors call for radical overhaul of global nicotine policy
Former WHO Directors Derek Yach and Tikki Pang advocate a radical overhaul of the WHO's tobacco control treaty for harm reduction. They emphasize the need for courage from governments, industry, and civil society to prioritize public health over old beliefs. Highlighting the importance of informing healthcare professionals, they urge scientific societies and journals to support harm reduction strategies. The authors stress the urgency for low-income countries to adopt these measures to prevent long-term health and economic burdens. Contrasting progress in developed and developing nations, they argue for embracing safer alternatives to reduce smoking-related harm. Despite past mistrust of tobacco companies, they call for a pragmatic shift towards harm reduction to save lives.
