Advocating Health-Driven and Science-Backed Tobacco Policies: ERS Urges Global Action

 

Advocating Health-Driven and Science-Backed Tobacco Policies: ERS Urges Global Action

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Advocates for Health-Driven and Science-Backed Tobacco Policy

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) is urging global policymakers to embrace and implement tobacco policies that prioritize public health and are firmly grounded in scientific research.

This call to action comes just one month before the Tenth Session of the Conference of Parties (COP10) regarding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, set to be held in Panama from November 20 to 25. COP10 is a crucial gathering of nations and policymakers to deliberate on strategies and decisions aimed at safeguarding individuals from the multifaceted consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure, spanning health, social, economic, and environmental domains.

As a prominent international body dedicated to respiratory health, medicine, and scientific advancement, ERS champions the cause of lung health and maintains an active involvement in addressing tobacco as a major catalyst for respiratory diseases. ERS consistently issues recommendations and position statements that are firmly rooted in scientific research.

Dr. Filippos Filippidis, Chair of the ERS Tobacco Control Committee, emphasizes that while recent developments in some countries indicate a more robust stance on tobacco control, a globally unified response is imperative.

"We see the United Kingdom now proposing significantly stricter policies on tobacco and tobacco products, aspiring to create a smoke-free generation and aligning with New Zealand's resolute commitment to public health. While these developments are encouraging, we strongly implore policymakers from all nations to unite in their response to tobacco. Every conceivable effort should be made to eliminate tobacco and its associated products, or we risk witnessing further health disparities emerge."

With a focus on the agenda items announced for the COP10 event, ERS has articulated specific recommendations for policymakers:

1. Differentiate Novel Tobacco Products: ERS underscores that novel tobacco products, vaping items, or heated tobacco products (HTPs) should not be confused with "harm reduction" strategies or public health interventions. This distinction is vital due to the lack of concrete evidence supporting their effectiveness as smoking cessation tools, and the potential implications for public health (COP10 agenda items 6.1 and 6.3).

2. Effective Regulation: ERS advocates for robust regulatory measures to restrict HTPs while continuing to support those seeking to quit smoking (COP10 agenda item 6.1).

3. Tobacco Industry Accountability: ERS calls for the acknowledgment of the tobacco industry's responsibility for the harm caused by its products. Policymakers are urged not to allow the tobacco industry's marketing of "harm reduction" products to divert attention from this responsibility (COP10 agenda item 6.5).

4. Forward-Looking Measures: ERS encourages policymakers to consider forward-looking measures aimed at rapidly reducing the prevalence of smoking. This includes endorsing Tobacco Endgame policies such as raising the legal age of sale to 21 years, which is viewed as a milestone on the path to phasing out tobacco sales and creating a tobacco-free generation (COP10 agenda item 6.4).

Dr. Filippidis further asserts, "The ability of the tobacco industry to market its products as part of harm reduction strategies highlights significant regulatory gaps that demand immediate attention. It is time for policymakers to make resolute decisions on tobacco control, transcending borders and influencing global change."