Vaping Advocates Project Protest onto COP11 Venue in Geneva, Demanding Voice for Consumers

A dramatic light show protest illuminated the COP11 venue in Geneva this weekend as the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) called attention to what they describe as misinformation threatening harm reduction policies across the Caribbean region. The visual demonstration highlighted concerns about the exclusion of consumer voices from tobacco control discussions ahead of the upcoming conference.

The protest is part of the WVA’s “Voices Unheard – Consumers Matter” campaign, which criticizes the World Health Organization’s approach to vaping and other nicotine alternatives. According to the alliance, WHO-backed tobacco control strategies fail to recognize the potential benefits of reduced-harm alternatives for smokers seeking to quit traditional cigarettes.

“The WHO remains trapped in an echo chamber of anti-science thinking that ignores the realities faced by nicotine consumers,” said Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance. “Misinformation and fearmongering are driving policies that deny less harmful alternatives to smoking, putting public health at risk.”

The WVA argues that many Caribbean nations risk being sidelined in global tobacco control discussions, which are often dominated by more powerful interests. The organization claims the WHO’s proposed policies—including bans on flavored vaping products, strict nicotine limits, and heavy taxation—disregard scientific evidence suggesting that alternatives like vaping and nicotine pouches present significantly lower health risks than combustible tobacco.

These concerns come at a crucial time for global tobacco policy, as the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP11) is scheduled to take place in Geneva from November 17 to 22. The conference represents a key opportunity for nations to shape international approaches to tobacco and nicotine regulation.

Public health experts remain divided on the appropriate regulatory framework for e-cigarettes and other nicotine alternatives. While some studies indicate these products can help adult smokers transition away from more harmful combustible cigarettes, others raise concerns about youth uptake and the potential long-term health effects of vaping.

The Caribbean region faces particular challenges in tobacco control, with varying smoking rates and regulatory approaches across different island nations. Limited resources for enforcement and public health campaigns compound these difficulties. The WVA suggests that Caribbean countries have an opportunity to lead by advocating for evidence-based harm reduction approaches at COP11, rather than accepting what they characterize as one-size-fits-all bans.

“Caribbean countries can take the lead at COP11 by advocating for evidence-based policies that reject blanket bans and misinformation,” the WVA stated in their press release. “Embracing harm reduction is critical for public health progress in the Caribbean and globally.”

Through their campaign, the alliance is encouraging Caribbean governments to resist broad prohibitions, demand greater transparency in policy-making processes, and ensure adult consumers have meaningful input into tobacco control policies that affect their lives.

The protest reflects growing tensions between harm reduction advocates and traditional tobacco control organizations over the appropriate regulatory approach to novel nicotine products. While the WHO has generally maintained a cautious stance toward e-cigarettes, some public health officials and researchers argue that overly restrictive policies could prevent smokers from accessing potentially less harmful alternatives.

As COP11 approaches, the debate around tobacco harm reduction strategies is likely to intensify, with significant implications for public health policy across the Caribbean and beyond. The outcomes of these discussions could shape the regulatory landscape for vaping and other nicotine alternatives for years to come.