FEATURE
PREPARE FOR PANAMA
While COP9 ended up being of little consequence for vapers , the upcoming COP10 conference in Panama in 2023 should be totally different .
Words : Patrick Griffin
The UK is being encouraged to forge alliances with other pro-vaping countries to help turn the tide of anti-vaping propaganda around the world .
Daniel Pryor , Head of Programmes at the Adam Smith Institute , proposed the move in an effort to change the global agenda on tobacco harm reduction . Speaking at World Vape Show London , he encouraged pro-vaping governments to come together ahead of the COP10 tobacco control conference in Panama next year .
He also said that consumers had a vital role to play in giving governments the push needed to help make the change .
Pryor said : “ When the next COP comes around , the government will remember the thousands of petitions , letters and consultation responses they have received on this issue .
“ Those involved in government and public health can also expect a big consumer advocacy push next time and that will put pressure on them to really put forward the tobacco harm reduction case .
“ The UK should make alliances with other countries with similar views to change the global agenda , as well as defending the UK ’ s domestic record on tobacco harm reduction .”
Martin Cullip from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance ’ s Consumer Center said the extra time to prepare for the Panana City conference was a ‘ godsend ’ to the pro-vaping community . He said it was promising that countries including China , The Philippines and Malaysia had all recently decided to regulate , rather than ban , e-cigarettes .
The UK should make alliances with other countries with similar views to change the global agenda .
Cullip added : “ If we have two more years of more countries doing the same , then the representation at the next COP could be a lot different than it is now .”
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