Tobacco harm reduction advocates criticize COP11 for limiting public participation and call for inclusion of harm reduction products in discussions

Key Points:

• The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of the Parties (COP11) will be held in November in Geneva to discuss global tobacco control policies. 
• Advocates for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) are concerned that the conference may not make substantial progress and may only prevent policies from worsening. 
• CAPHRA criticizes COP11 for restricting public participation in the registration system and calls for broader discussion. 
• THR advocates plan to hold opposing activities during COP11, providing evidence on the safety of nicotine products to push for policy change.

On September 30, 2025 - According to a report by Filtermag on September 29, the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will be held in Geneva in November. Representatives from various countries will discuss tobacco control policies. Against the backdrop of the World Health Organization's long-standing opposition to Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR), THR advocates are concerned that the meeting may only manage to avoid further harm to policies, rather than make substantial progress.

The COP10 failed to make progress in reducing global deaths related to smoking, partly because the voices of affected populations were not fully heard. Advocates for Tobacco Harm Reduction criticized the high public participation threshold at the global tobacco control conference, which restricted discussions on safer nicotine products. As COP11 approaches, the Asia-Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates Alliance (CAPHRA) has criticized the registration system for the conference and is calling for broader public participation.

The agenda of COP11 focuses on reducing tobacco consumption and nicotine addiction, but THR advocates believe this may undermine efforts to reduce the harm caused by tobacco. In order to change the direction of policy, THR advocates will hold similar opposing activities during the conference, providing evidence on the safety of nicotine products.