FEATURE
WHO TOLD : “ STOP PEDDLING LIES ”
Consumer Advocacy Groups are calling for the World Health Organization to follow the science and stop “ lying ” about the link between vaping and COVID .
Words : Jordan Millar
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) is under fire after being accused of peddling a ‘ dangerous lie ’ about the link between COVID-19 and vaping . Advocates have once again expressed disappointment with the WHO following the latest in a long line of anti-vaping ‘ propaganda ’. Some groups are claiming the organization is deliberately preventing millions of smokers from accessing reduced harm alternatives “ in its quest to rid the world of smoking .”
In a 103-page white paper , The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates ( CAPHRA ) said : “ The vaping / COVID link is the latest dangerous lie being spread by the WHO as part of its anti-smoking agenda .” The plea comes after the WHO ignored the results of several international studies , instead opting to support the notion that vaping can lead to higher infection rates for COVID-19 . CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas said : “ For years , the WHO has created a steady stream of anti-vaping claims , which has had dire consequences for adult smokers looking to quit . “ By going down this route , the WHO has chosen to support deadly cigarette consumption over a healthier alternative and forced vaping into the waiting hands of the black market .” Loucas stressed that the misinformation presented by the WHO guides government legislation , resulting in policymakers imposing draconian bans and restrictions on vapers . Contrary to the WHO ’ s allegations , global medical research has revealed no connection between vaping and a higher likelihood of contracting the virus . CAPHRA have identified a number of key observations from studies around the world that dispute the WHO ’ s claims , including a low percentage of COVID-19 patients who also smoke . Independent researchers have labelled the link between COVID-19 and vaping as inconclusive , calling for more studies to investigate the validity of the theory . The WHO ’ s own findings also fail to establish a relationship between the two , with its ‘ Smoking and COVID-19 ’ report – which reviewed over 30 studies – uncovering no evidence to support the position . The report said : “ There are currently no peerreviewed studies that have evaluated the risk of
“ If the World Health Organisation and governments globally can be so reliant on the science around COVID-19 , why won ’ t they take the same approach to the smoking pandemic ?”
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