CaribPR Wire » #cop11

Light Show Protest Ahead of COP11 Highlights WHO Misinformation

caribpr — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:08:02 +0000

WVA in Geneva

Consumers Must Be Recognised, Not Sidelined

CARIBPR WIRE, GENEVA, Nov. 03, 2025: A light show protest projected on the COP11 venue by the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has drawn attention to the misinformation threatening harm reduction policies in Caribbean countries. The protest shines a spotlight on the lack of consumer voices and the outdated tobacco control strategies backed by the WHO that could harm smokers looking for less harmful alternatives.

Michael Landl, WVA Director, emphasized that: “The WHO remains trapped in an echo chamber of anti-science thinking that ignores the realities faced by nicotine consumers. Misinformation and fearmongering are driving policies that deny less harmful alternatives to smoking, putting public health at risk. Our protest demands that consumers’ voices be heard and their rights protected.”

Many Caribbean nations risk being overlooked in global discussions dominated by powerful interests. The WHO’s planned bans on flavoured vaping products, nicotine limits, and heavy taxes disregard scientific evidence showing alternatives like vaping and nicotine pouches offer far less harm than smoking, and help smokers quit.

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

The WVA’s “Voices Unheard – Consumers Matter” campaign encourages Caribbean governments to resist one-size-fits-all bans, demand transparency, and ensure that adult consumers have a meaningful voice in shaping tobacco control policies that affect their lives. COP11 will take place in Geneva from November 17 to 22.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c4aedbc-a68c-4751-9a73-a8b23735353e

Big Tobacco Targets Caribbean Nations Ahead of Global Treaty Talks – Governments Must Shut Down Industry Interference

caribpr — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:14:30 +0000

Statement of Yolonda C. Richardson, President & CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As nearly every country in the world prepares to meet in Geneva next month for the Eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s largest tobacco companies are actively targeting Caribbean nations to weaken global health commitments that have saved millions of lives.

At COP11, 183 Parties to the FCTC will come together to strengthen efforts to reduce tobacco use and protect public health. For 20 years, the FCTC has successfully guided countries in adopting proven measures like smoke-free laws, picture warning labels on tobacco products, higher tobacco taxes and prohibitions on tobacco marketing. The result of these polices has been millions of lives saved around the world.

But as governments prepare for COP11, the tobacco industry is stepping up efforts to undermine the treaty’s progress on public health. Saint Kitts and Nevis, along with Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago are being actively targeted by tobacco companies seeking to influence Caribbean governments to weaken global public health commitments. Similar tactics are being deployed around the world as part of the industry’s coordinated global playbook.

At COP10 in Panama, positions taken by Saint Kitts and Nevis raised serious alarm among public health advocates for closely mirroring tobacco industry talking points – a pattern that has continued in the leadup to COP11.

Leading health organizations including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, and the Healthy Caribbean Coalition have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The letter expresses concern about the need to safeguard public health policymaking from the influence of the tobacco industry. It notes that the tobacco industry prioritizes profit over people’s lives, especially by marketing addictive products like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products to young people.

As COP11 approaches, governments must remember one truth: The tobacco industry is the architect of the global tobacco epidemic which kills more than 8 million people each year. Big Tobacco’s presence is toxic to rational, evidence-based policymaking. Governments must shut the door on tobacco industry interference and stand united to protect kids from a lifetime of addiction.

As the world prepares for COP11 discussions, governments should be focused on renewing commitments to tackling tobacco use and nicotine addiction – because millions of lives depend on governments using their power to protect public health.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/449263/CAMPAIGN_FOR_TOBACCO_FREE_KIDS_Logo.jpg

Big Tobacco Targets Caribbean Nations Ahead of Global Treaty Talks – Governments Must Shut Down Industry Interference

caribpr — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:47:21 +0000

Statement of Yolonda C. Richardson, President & CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Leading health organizations including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Lake, and St. Kitts and Nevis NCD Alliance have sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The letter expresses concern about the need to safeguard public health policymaking from the influence of the tobacco industry. It notes that the tobacco industry prioritizes profit over people’s lives, especially by marketing addictive products like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products to young people.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/449263/CAMPAIGN_FOR_TOBACCO_FREE_KIDS_Logo.jpg