The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) condemns the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat for permitting Bloomberg-funded prohibitionist NGOs to dictate policy narratives at COP11, directly contradicting the treaty’s foundational principles.

The “Dirty Ashtray Award” presented to New Zealand exposes a fundamental corruption of the FCTC process. The Secretariat has allowed ideologically-driven NGOs to write unaccountable rules, then shame countries refusing compliance with a prohibitionist script disconnected from real-world health outcomes.

This has nothing to do with saving lives. It is about control.

New Zealand’s smoking rate of 6.8 per cent – one of the world’s lowest – proves harm reduction works. Yet the country faces international mockery for empowering smokers with evidence-based alternatives. Meanwhile, nations with double New Zealand’s smoking prevalence receive praise for rhetoric alone.

The latest youth data released on 30 November 2025 demonstrates New Zealand’s nuanced success. Youth vaping rates have halved since their 2021 peak, with daily vaping among Year 10 students dropping to 7.1 per cent from 10.1 per cent in 2022. Critically, youth daily smoking is now “negligible” at just 1 per cent – a generational achievement led by comprehensive harm reduction policy. Emeritus Professor Robert Beaglehole of Action on Smoking and Health declared this “a major global success which we should be celebrating … we are leading the way.”

Yet the award ignores this nuance. New Zealand balances adult smoker support with youth protection through regulated access to vaping, disposal bans, retail restrictions, and increased penalties for selling to minors – penalties rising from $5,000 to $10,000 for individuals and $10,000 to $100,000 for corporations as of December 2024.

Supporting countries at COP11 – including Canada, Sweden, Germany, Serbia, and others championing transparency, consumer engagement, and science-based policy – demonstrate the treaty has strayed from its purpose. These delegations recognise what the FCTC Secretariat refuses: countries must develop policies suited to their specific contexts and populations.

CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas condemned the authoritarian approach. “The suggestion that any country or advocate supporting harm reduction must be aligned with industry is unacceptable. It shuts down legitimate scientific discussion. Public health decisions should be based on evidence, not ideological purity tests.”

The chart of COP11 positions reveals stark divisions. New Zealand, Serbia, Albania, Guinea-Bissau, North Macedonia, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis demand transparency and inclusion. Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden engage consumers and lived experience. Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand champion independent science showing pouches 99 per cent less harmful than cigarettes.

Yet the FCTC Secretariat permits NGOs to frame harm reduction as an “industry tool,” ignoring independent research and real health gains closing health equity gaps for Māori and Pacific communities.

CAPHRA demands the FCTC Secretariat enforce treaty obligations. The FCTC exists for countries to develop policies for their situations – not for NGOs to enforce ideological conformity.

Loucas added: “Not all products carry the same risk, and not all countries face the same challenges. Treating every viewpoint that is not prohibition as suspicious makes it impossible to design effective, proportionate policies. Innovation, updated evidence, and diverse contexts must guide public health – not Bloomberg’s agenda.”

With eight million tobacco deaths annually, the time for accountability is now. The FCTC must choose: serve public health or serve prohibitionist gatekeepers.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) today urged Malaysian authorities to reject counterproductive bans on vaping and adopt risk-proportionate regulations, citing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) persistent neglect of harm reduction strategies as a key driver of preventable smoking-related deaths.

The call comes as Malaysia faces pressure to tighten vaping controls under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), with state-level bans and stricter nicotine limits threatening progress. CAPHRA warns such measures risk replicating failed prohibition in Bhutan and South Africa, where bans fuelled illicit markets and health risks.

Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh emphasised: “Enforcing stricter controls on high-risk products over safer alternatives is better than outright bans. Malaysia must differentiate between combustible cigarettes and harm reduction tools.”

Echoing this, Samsul Arrifin Kamal of MOVE Malaysia stated: “We firmly believe that an outright ban on vape products is counterproductive and could lead to unintended consequences, including the proliferation of black market activities.  The solution lies in implementing stricter controls, risk proportionate regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms. By establishing clear guidelines for the production, sale and use of vape products, we can ensure consumer safety.” 

CAPHRA criticised the WHO’s outdated stance, which ignores vaping’s role in smoking cessation. Despite Malaysia’s illicit tobacco trade dominating 55.3% of the market in 2023, WHO projects smoking rates will rise to 30% by 2025 – contrasting sharply with Sweden’s 5% rate achieved through harm reduction.

“The WHO’s anti-harm reduction dogma costs lives,” said Nancy Loucas, CAPHRA Executive Coordinator. “Malaysia must choose: follow failed prohibition or evidence. Sweden’s success proves science trumps ideology.”

While Act 852 introduced nicotine caps and health warnings, proposals to ban vaping in states like Selangor and Johor risk fragmenting policy. CAPHRA urges federal-state harmonisation to avoid undermining progress.

With 68% of Malaysian ex-smokers crediting vaping for quitting combustibles, CAPHRA calls for expanding regulated access while pressuring the WHO to revise its stance. “Malaysia can lead ASEAN by prioritising 5 million smokers’ health over outdated rhetoric,” Loucas concluded. 

The research, titled “Do the differing vaping and smoking trends in Australia and New Zealand reflect different regulatory policies?“ reveals a stark contrast in smoking reduction rates between the two nations.

New Zealand saw its adult daily smoking rate decline twice as fast as Australia, with a 10% annual decrease (from 14.5% to 6.8%) compared to Australia’s 5% (from 12.2% to 8.3%). This decline in smoking directly mirrored the vaping adoption rates in both countries.

“This study provides compelling evidence that New Zealand’s harm reduction approach to vaping is far more effective at reducing smoking rates than Australia’s overly restrictive policies,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.

“It’s a clear signal that governments must embrace pragmatic regulations that allow adult smokers access to safer alternatives like vaping.”

The study further highlighted that:

• Smoking rates fell three times faster in New Zealand’s lowest socioeconomic communities compared to Australia (12% per year vs 4% per year).
• Smoking in the Māori population declined nearly three times as fast as among Australia’s Indigenous population (16% vs 6% per year from 2019-2023).
• The age group with the greatest decline in smoking in both countries was the younger adult age group, which also had the highest rates of vaping.
• While youth vaping rose more sharply in NZ, it has levelled out since regulation started in 2021 and is now starting to fall (8.7% in 2024).
• Australia has a rampant and often violent black market for vaping products, while New Zealand shows no significant evidence of illicit trade.

CAPHRA emphasises that the association in the Addiction study shows increased access to safer nicotine products has reduced smoking rates, particularly when compared to the stricter regulations that have failed to provide the same impact.

“This Addiction study confirms that embracing safer nicotine products is the right approach to saving lives. We urge countries across the Asia Pacific region to take note of New Zealand’s success and adopt similar evidence-based policies,” Loucas concluded. “The health of millions depends on it.”

 Notes:
The study “Do the differing vaping and smoking trends in Australia and New Zealand reflect different regulatory policies?” is published in Addiction. – Mendelsohn CP, Beaglehole R, Borland R, Hall W, Wodak A, Youdan B, Chan CKC. Addiction. 2025. Available here:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39924453/

In a follow-up letter to the Department of Health, CAPHRA emphasised the critical importance of consumer input in shaping policies that directly impact public health and individual rights. The organisation highlighted the legitimate process within the FCTC that allows for stakeholder participation, including consumers of safer nicotine products.

“We are deeply concerned that excluding consumer voices may result in policies that inadvertently harm public health,” stated Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA Philippines representative. “The moratorium could push vapers back to smoking, undoing years of progress in tobacco harm reduction.”

CAPHRA’s appeal comes amidst growing concerns over the potential negative consequences of the proposed moratorium on vaping products in the Philippines. The organisation warns that such a move could lead to increased smoking rates and a surge in illicit trade of tobacco products.

“As the most affected stakeholders, adult consumers of safer nicotine products have invaluable insights to offer,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator for CAPHRA. “Their real-life experiences and data are crucial for making informed decisions that truly represent all citizens.”

The organisation also addressed misconceptions about its nature and funding, clarifying that CAPHRA is an independent, grassroots consumer advocacy group with no ties to the tobacco or e-cigarette industries.

CAPHRA’s call for inclusion aligns with FCTC Articles 4.3 and 4.7, which emphasise the importance of civil society participation. The organisation expressed disappointment that some delegates have cited FCTC Article 5.3 as a reason to exclude consumer input, arguing that this interpretation is misguided and counterproductive.

“We remain committed to constructive dialogue and are ready to contribute our expertise to ensure that tobacco harm reduction policies are evidence-based and consumer-informed,” Loucas added.

CAPHRA urges the Philippine government and other FCTC parties to reconsider their stance and engage with consumer advocates in the lead-up to COP11, scheduled for November 2025.

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, commends the Thai Special Committee’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive study of e-cigarette laws. “This balanced approach, considering all stakeholders’ perspectives, is crucial for developing effective tobacco harm reduction policies,” Loucas states.

The committee’s spokesperson, Mr. Thotsaporn Thongsiri, has indicated that the study will conclude by the end of December, presenting three alternative solutions to the current e-cigarette situation in Thailand. These options range from maintaining the ban with stricter enforcement to regulating both e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

“We’re encouraged by Thailand’s willingness to explore regulatory options beyond prohibition,” says Loucas. “Harm reduction strategies have proven effective in reducing smoking-related harms worldwide. It’s time for public health policies to embrace these evidence-based approaches.”

CAPHRA emphasises the importance of considering multiple dimensions in policy-making, including health, economic, social, and legal aspects. “A comprehensive approach that doesn’t criminalise e-cigarette users is essential for public health success,” Loucas adds.

The organisation supports the committee’s efforts to address concerns about youth e-cigarette use while also recognising the potential benefits for adult smokers seeking less harmful alternatives.

“Thailand’s move towards a more nuanced e-cigarette policy could set a positive example for other countries in the region,” Loucas concludes. “Harm reduction is not just a public health win – it’s a victory for rational policymaking and individual choice.”

CAPHRA urges policymakers to continue this inclusive approach, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders, including consumers and harm reduction advocates, are heard in the ongoing policy discussions.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) today calls attention to a growing international scandal involving prominent anti-tobacco organisations and their alleged misuse of funds to manipulate policies in developing countries, potentially violating both local laws and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Recent investigations have revealed that the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), a major recipient of funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, has been placed under increased scrutiny by regulatory authorities. This comes in the wake of allegations of widespread corruption and undue influence over governmental policies in low- and middle-income countries, actions which may contravene the FCPA and local anti-bribery laws.

“This is not just philanthro-colonialism; it’s potentially criminal,” said Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator for CAPHRA. “These organisations, funded by billions from Bloomberg, are essentially buying policies in developing nations, with little regard for local needs, democratic processes, or international law.”

The scandal extends beyond CTFK, implicating other Bloomberg-funded entities in a vast network of influence that reaches into media, academia, and government agencies worldwide. Internal documents reveal a coordinated effort to draft legislation, manipulate public opinion, and sideline opposing viewpoints, raising serious questions about compliance with the FCPA’s anti-bribery provisions.

“What we’re seeing goes beyond public health advocacy. It’s a concerted attempt to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to tobacco control, regardless of its effectiveness or appropriateness for different populations. This may well constitute violations of the FCPA and local laws in multiple jurisdictions,” Loucas added.

Key points of concern include:

1. Direct funding of government entities in multiple countries, raising questions about sovereignty, conflicts of interest, and potential violations of the FCPA’s prohibition on payments to foreign officials.
2. Manipulation of media coverage through journalist training programs and direct contracts with news outlets, potentially violating local media laws and FCPA provisions.
3. Funding of academic research with predetermined conclusions to support policy agendas, which may breach academic integrity standards and anti-corruption laws.

CAPHRA calls for immediate transparency from all involved organisations and a re-evaluation of tobacco harm reduction policies based on objective science rather than foreign influence. The organisation also urges relevant authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission, to investigate these activities for potential FCPA violations.

“It’s time for a global conversation about the ethics and legality of such large-scale policy manipulation,” Loucas concluded. “The health of millions is at stake, and it should not be dictated by the agenda of a few wealthy individuals or organisations, especially if their actions are breaking laws both at home and abroad.”

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is thrilled to announce that New Zealand has achieved its Smokefree 2025 goal well ahead of schedule, with smoking rates plummeting to unprecedented lows.

Recent data from the New Zealand Health Survey reveals that smoking rates have fallen dramatically, particularly among youth. The decline has been so significant that statisticians now struggle to accurately measure the small proportion of young smokers due to sample size limitations.

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, commented on this remarkable achievement:

“New Zealand’s success in reducing smoking rates is a testament to the country’s progressive approach to tobacco harm reduction. By embracing vaping and other less harmful alternatives, we’ve seen smoking rates drop from 11.9% in 2020 to an astounding 6.8% in 2023. This is a clear indication that our strategy is working.”

The success is particularly notable among young people, with youth smoking rates reaching historic lows. “The fact that we’re having difficulty measuring youth smoking rates due to their minuscule prevalence is a cause for celebration,” Loucas added. “It’s a clear sign that we’re winning the battle against smoking-related harm.”

Despite this undeniable success, some in the tobacco control and public health sectors seem reluctant to acknowledge the effectiveness of New Zealand’s approach. Loucas expressed her frustration with this attitude:

“It’s perplexing that some individuals in tobacco control can’t seem to accept our successful strategy. We’ve achieved what many thought impossible, yet instead of celebrating, they’re focusing on potential issues with vaping. We need to recognise this victory and continue supporting policies that have proven effective in reducing smoking rates.”

CAPHRA urges policymakers and health advocates worldwide to look to New Zealand as a model for successful tobacco harm reduction. The organisation emphasises the importance of embracing evidence-based approaches that include a range of less harmful alternatives to smoking.

“Our success story should be a wake-up call for countries like Australia who are still clinging to prohibitionist policies,” Loucas concluded. “It’s time to put aside preconceived notions and focus on what works – a pragmatic, harm-reduction approach that prioritises public health over ideology.”

CAPHRA remains committed to advocating for sensible policies that continue to drive down smoking rates while providing adult smokers with safer alternatives.

The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) issued a sharp critique 24 January 2024 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for its exclusion of consumer groups and harm reduction advocates from the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10).

“CAPHRA argues that this exclusionary practice is in stark contrast to the successful, pragmatic approaches of countries like New Zealand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, which have embraced vaping as a harm reduction tool,” said Nancy Loucas, a public health policy expert and passionate advocate for tobacco harm reduction and executive coordinator of CAPHRA.

The press release condemns the WHO FCTC’s COP10 meetings for silencing the voices of those who advocate for harm reduction strategies, such as vaping, which have been shown to significantly reduce smoking prevalence in countries where they are available and regulated.

CAPHRA points out that the prohibitionist approach of countries like Australia, which recently banned vaping products, is not in the best interest of public health.

“CAPHRA calls on FCTC officials to open their minds to harm reduction and to consider the evidence from countries like New Zealand, where smoking rates have decreased due to the availability of regulated vaping products,” said Ms Loucas.

The organisation stresses the importance of including consumer groups in the decision-making process, as they provide essential insights into the needs of smokers and how alternative products can be used effectively.

“Concerns raised by EU member states about being excluded from negotiations at COP10 and the need for transparency and inclusivity in discussions that impact public health.”

CAPHRA’s criticism aligns with reports that the WHO is influenced by special interest groups and that the FCTC has become restrictive in its engagement with NGOs, creating an echo chamber that ignores the potential benefits of harm reduction strategies. “CAPHRA urges the WHO FCTC to re-evaluate its stance on harm reduction and to engage with all stakeholders, including consumer groups, to develop effective tobacco control policies that prioritise public health and respect the Right to Health,” Ms Loucas said.

“While the details of the new regulations are shrouded in smoke, reports suggest that Australians may now face up to $150 for a prescription to access vaping products,” said Nancy Loucas, a public health policy expert and passionate advocate for tobacco harm reduction and executive coordinator of CAPHRA.

“This not only creates an unnecessary financial burden but also ignores the substantial body of research indicating that vaping is a less harmful option compared to combustible cigarettes,” said Ms Loucas.

The government’s decision seems to be a knee-jerk reaction that disregards the potential public health benefits of vaping as a harm reduction tool. It is a well-established fact in the scientific community that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, and it has been instrumental in helping countless smokers quit.

“If the Australian Government wanted to see the success of vaping in reducing smoking prevalence, all they had to do was cast their eyes across the ditch to New Zealand,” said Ms Loucas.

Yet the move to restrict access to vapes is likely to have the unintended consequence of driving former smokers back to combustible cigarettes, a giant step backward in the fight against tobacco-related diseases. It is a decision that not only clouds the future of harm reduction but also ignites concerns about the Australian government’s commitment to public health.

“We call on the Australian Government to reconsider this decision and to align its policies with the overwhelming evidence that supports vaping as a harm reduction strategy. It is time to clear the air and acknowledge that vaping can play a crucial role in reducing the harm caused by tobacco use.” “For a nation that prides itself on its progressive stance on public health, this regressive step is not just a bad policy – it’s a health hazard,” Ms Loucas said.

Firstly, Nancy evaluates the latest tobacco and e-cigarette regulations proposed by the New Zealand government, describing them as an attempt to reduce smoking rates in a more innovative and progressive way. The new regulations focus on protecting children, but the actual issues lie more in the enforcement of laws rather than the e-cigarette products themselves. She emphasizes that the core problem is not the e-cigarettes themselves, but rather how to better enforce existing laws.

New Zealand has recently implemented the “Generational End Game” policy, aimed at reducing smoking rates in the long term. However, there seems to be an overlap with the new legislation in place. Nancy argues that considering New Zealand’s current low rates of teenage smoking, these new regulations might be excessive. Nonetheless, she believes that such legislation appears appealing and could have a positive impact.

In addition, Nancy pointed out that there are obvious differences in e-cigarette policies between Australia and New Zealand. Compared to Australia’s conservative approach, New Zealand demonstrates a more open and progressive strategy. Interestingly, despite implementing a stricter medical model, Australia’s smoking rates have remained stagnant or even risen, while New Zealand has successfully reduced smoking rates. This to some extent reflects the effectiveness of the policies implemented.

During the final stage of the conversation, Nancy criticized Australia’s prescription model for e-cigarettes. This model treats regular consumers as patients or addicts, with doctors urging them to quit smoking, which ordinary consumers are often reluctant to accept. She also proposed that, in certain circumstances, people should be allowed to obtain e-cigarettes through medical means, especially for groups with a high demand for e-cigarettes, such as patients receiving treatment in mental health institutions. Policymakers should fully consider these special circumstances.

The original article, authored and published by 2FIRSTS, can be found here: https://www.2firsts.com/news/comparing-tobacco-and-e-cigarette-policies-in-new-zealand-and-australia