Other key recommendations from the report include :
• Restricting any decision to ban vaping and other reduced risk alternatives to smoking .
• Establish a Working Group to look at
the science and evidence for new and emerging products .
• Send experts and consumers to sit
alongside Department of Health officials at the COP-9 summit .
• Ensuring openness and transparency instead of secretive decision making .
The UK Vaping Industry Association ( UKVIA ) has offered its support to the APPG , applauding it for standing up to the WHO and challenging it to change its approach to harm reduction . John Dunne , Director General of the UKVIA , said : “ It is crucial that the vaping sector , and former smokers turned vapers , speak with one voice to put pressure on the WHO to change its ways . “ As the body which is meant to promote health , keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable , it has a moral responsibility to do the right thing .” Dunne highlights that e-cigarettes are only a fraction as harmful as smoking , pointing to the millions of UK vapers who ’ ve experienced ‘ positive life changing benefits ’ after making the switch . Mark Pawsey , Chair of the APPG for Vaping , said : “ There is no doubt that the WHO has developed a negative stance in relation to vaping over recent years . “ We wanted to evaluate whether it remained fit for purpose in an evolved landscape where new technology has enabled new harm reduction strategies . At the COP9 , the UK has a unique opportunity to champion its progressive , successful and evidence-based , domestic policies on the global stage .” He continued : “ We are a world leader in tobacco harm reduction , and we call on the Government to defend the UK approach , challenge the WHO to stub out their ban on vaping , and help return the FCTC to its founding pillar of harm reduction .”
“ As the body which is meant to promote health , keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable , it has a moral responsibility to do the right thing .”
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