Stakeholders across the Philippines are urging the country’s delegation to the World Health Organization’s tobacco control conference to defend Republic Act 11900, or the Vape Law, and present it as a viable national model for tobacco harm reduction.

They also want the delegation to articulate a balanced and science-grounded position that reflects both consumer interests and public health priorities.

The call comes as the Philippines joins the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference, which began Monday, is expected to consider a range of new tobacco control proposals that could significantly affect the availability of less harmful alternatives.

Advocates argue that some WHO positions disregard emerging scientific evidence and lived experiences of consumers. They warn that overly restrictive measures may end up pushing former smokers back to combustible cigarettes, undermining years of progress. They maintain that disease stems from inhaling smoke produced by burning tobacco — not from nicotine itself. Although nicotine is addictive, they note it can be delivered without combustion.

Uphold consumers choice

A consumer group raised concerns that proposals under discussion at COP11 may erode consumer choice and limit access to less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco systems. These options, the group said, have assisted many Filipino smokers in transitioning away from conventional cigarettes.

They emphasized that a science-based framework is crucial, reiterating that “it is the smoke from burning tobacco, not nicotine, that causes smoking-related diseases.” The group said adult smokers deserve access to accurate information and safer alternatives.