Vapeboss – A number of advocates from Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) around the world signed the Manila Declaration 2022. Following the Fifth Asian Harm Reduction Forum (AHRF 2022) on October 28, the Manila Declaration was released with the aim of providing information and evidence that has been excluded from any guidance given by the World Health Organization (WHO) to signatories and delegates of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on safer nicotine products.

In addition, the declaration also aims to highlight the fact that vapers continue to be marginalized, ignored, and attacked for their choices, despite scientific evidence supporting the use of vaping for smoking cessation.

“The individual’s right to health is recognized as a fundamental human right; Smoking causes the vast majority of tobacco-related deaths and diseases; Vaping is far safer than cigarettes and has helped millions of people quit smoking; Harm reduction is at the core of international treaty obligations; Prohibitions only serve to protect the cigarette industry; and that public health and government credibility are at stake,” the declaration states.

The document highlights the absurdity of allowing cigarettes on the market while banning safer smoking alternatives. It underscores that it is criminal to allow a product known to kill people with certainty to be freely sold in the free market, and to ban or restrict safer alternatives for adult smokers.

“Advocates are more determined than ever to ensure that the proven THR approach to tobacco control is adopted by more countries. The Philippines recently lifted its vaping ban and other Asian countries will follow, but we must continue to push. Cigarettes cannot win,” it said.