As public health delegates from around the world begin meeting in Seoul, South Korea, for a meeting to discuss revisions of the World Health Organization s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty, a public policy expert is warning them against a dangerous group-think with regard to tobacco harm reduction.As public health delegates from around the world begin meeting in Seoul, South Korea, for a meeting to discuss revisions of the World Health Organization s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty, a public policy expert is warning them against a dangerous group-think with regard to tobacco harm reduction. Clive Bates says briefing papers prepared for the delegates urging the restriction of e-cigarettes do not properly consider the role of smokeless tobacco or electronic nicotine delivery systems as credible alternatives to smoking.
Delegates, Bates says, need to remember the Hippocratic Oath: First do no harm please do not agree to regulations, internationally or domestically, that deny smokers access to ways of taking nicotine with greatly reduced risk. This misguided prohibitionist agenda would be harmful to health, highly unethical and amount to support for the cigarette industry.
ACSH s Dr. Gilbert Ross noted, Normally, I d be eager to lend my support for and agreement with this simple assertion of the nexus between science and basic humanity. But Clive Bates as he also did a few months ago referring to the European Union s ridiculous snus ban in his Death by Regulation essay has once again said it all and better than I can hope to improve upon or supplement.
