CAPHRA Calls Out Misinformation On Vaping As Blatant Propaganda

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction
Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling out the rampant misinformation
about tobacco harm reduction as blatant propaganda
perpetuated by factions within the tobacco control
community. These factions refuse to accept the proven role
of reduced-risk products in helping people quit smoking,
thereby undermining public health efforts.

Recent
commentary and reports have highlighted a disturbing trend
of disinformation about safer nicotine products.

“It
is spread by those who are ideologically opposed to harm
reduction strategies, despite mounting evidence that safer
nicotine products (SNPs) can significantly reduce smoking
rates and associated health risks,” said Nancy Loucas,
Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.

“The quantity and
depth of this campaign makes it clear that certain factions
within the tobacco control community are more interested in
maintaining their prohibitionist stance than in embracing
evidence-based harm reduction strategies that can save
lives.”

Studies have consistently shown that vaping
and other SNPs are far less harmful than smoking combustible
tobacco. Furthermore, countries that have adopted harm
reduction strategies, such as the UK and New Zealand, have
seen significant declines in smoking rates.

“The
refusal to acknowledge the benefits of SNPs is not just
misguided; it is dangerous. By spreading disinformation,
these groups are effectively discouraging people who smoke
from switching to less harmful alternatives, thereby
perpetuating the smoking epidemic,” said Ms
Loucas.

CAPHRA is calling on governments and public
health bodies to promote accurate information to ensure that
public health messaging about SNPs is based on the best
available scientific evidence and to embrace harm reduction
strategies as a key component of tobacco control
policies.

“We must move beyond the outdated ‘quit or
die’ mentality and recognise that harm reduction is a vital
tool in the fight against smoking-related diseases,” Loucas
emphasised.

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