In anticipation of the Tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has submitted a ‘Shadow Report’ to the Secretariat, shedding light on alternative perspectives regarding the state of tobacco control, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, with a special focus on India.
The ‘Shadow Report’ scrutinizes the biennial progress submissions and the WHO’s report on the global tobacco epidemic. It highlights the inadequacy of addressing safer alternatives in mitigating tobacco-related harm. Despite India being recognized as a ‘model country’ for tobacco control, the country continues to grapple with a high prevalence of smoking, casting doubt on the government’s target of achieving a 30% relative reduction in tobacco use by 2030. This critical issue will be a central point of discussion at COP10’23, drawing the attention of policymakers worldwide.
Here are some key points that the Indian delegation should consider while representing the country at the upcoming forum:
The State of Tobacco Control in India & Southeast Asia Pacific
Smoking remains a pressing global public health concern, causing millions of premature deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that it claims the lives of nearly 9 million users each year. Despite extensive interventions, the number of global smokers has remained largely stagnant at over 1 billion for the past decade. The economic burden of smoking-related diseases, including direct and indirect costs, amounts to nearly $2 trillion annually.
The data from WHO underscores that tobacco use is a persistent issue in Southeast Asia, with the Asian Region having the highest rates of tobacco use, affecting over 45% of the population. India alone has more than one hundred million smokers, with no significant reduction in recent years, underscoring the limitations of current tobacco control policies.
The Limits of WHO’s MPOWER
The WHO introduced ‘MPOWER,’ a policy package designed to combat the tobacco epidemic. It provides regulatory recommendations to monitor progress. However, the shadow study suggests that there is no substantial evidence indicating that the adoption and implementation of MPOWER have reduced the global cigarette consumption rate among adults.
The Untapped Weapon in the Tobacco Control Arsenal
The concept of safer alternatives has gained prominence. It defines tobacco control as a range of strategies encompassing supply, demand, and harm reduction. This approach acknowledges that while some smokers may struggle to quit, they can reduce health risks by transitioning from cigarettes to significantly less harmful alternatives. Several governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada, have already embraced this approach. Safer alternatives respect the rights and dignity of over one billion current smokers, focusing on both cessation and empowering individuals to make informed choices for their health and public health.
In their recommendations, CAPHRA advises the WHO and member state policymakers to prioritize science-based, inclusive policy-making in tobacco control. They stress the importance of crafting policies based on accurate and empirical evidence, including safer alternatives. By refocusing on reducing smoking prevalence and embracing harm reduction strategies, they believe the WHO can make substantial progress towards its goal of diminishing the global burden of tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
As the world prepares for COP10, India’s approach to tobacco control underscores the critical role of science and evidence-based policies in addressing this persistent global health challenge. With millions of lives at stake, the international community will closely watch the deliberations and outcomes of this vital conference.
