Will the UK stand up to the World Health Organisation?

The WHO has its biennial tobacco shindig next month. COP10 will be held in Panama and I'll be joining some mischief-makers there to report back. 

The WHO's approach to vaping is diametrically opposed to that of the UK so it is a mystery why we continue to give this corrupt outfit so much money. This year's COP (conference of the parties) seems to be all about e-cigarettes, none of it good, but according to The Sun, there is a chance that the UK might stand up for vapers.

 

MINISTERS will stand up to hardline global health chiefs next month to defend our “world-leading” swap-to-stop free vapes scheme.

The World Health Organisation will call for COP10 countries to clamp down harder or even ban e-cigarettes, which it calls “harmful to health and not safe”.

But England this year launched the world’s first government scheme to offer free vapes to smokers to help them kick the killer habit.

Now the UK delegation will reject policies that jeopardise our revolutionary programme – instead offering advice to nations that want to follow our lead.

A major review recently found e-cigarettes are one of the best ways to ditch fags – with a 14 per cent quit rate compared to nine per cent for nicotine patches or gum.

Tory MP Craig Whittaker said: “It is essential that at COP10 we stand up for our record and policies as a world leader on tobacco harm reduction.

 

The story doesn't have a quote from a minister, although it does quote something public health minister Neil O'Brien said a few months ago.

 

A government source said other countries can do what they want and the UK “will continue to share our experience of our approach to vaping”.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “The delegation will not agree to any decisions which would impact on our ability to make vapes available for smokers who wish to quit.”

 

It also includes a quote from me.

 

Chris Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “The WHO’s unscientific and fanatical opposition to e-cigarettes is a threat to global health. 

“The UK has an opportunity to make a difference at the Panama conference by vetoing any anti-vaping proposal. 

“British taxpayers give too much money to the WHO to be bossed around by a fundamentally corrupt and incompetent organisation.”

 

Like other countries, the UK has a veto at this meeting so let's hope the British delegation (whose names are secret, as usual) grow some cojones and use it.