The tenth Conference of the Parties to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will include consumer representatives

National delegations to the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) should include at least one consumer of safer nicotine products, according to the Asia-Pacific Coalition of Advocates for Tobacco Harm Reduction (CAPHRA).

In a letter to FCTC delegations in their respective countries, CAPHRA member organizations stressed the importance of listening to consumers. "Consumers are an untapped experience and knowledge base, and they are not fully represented in the FCTC process," the letter reads. "COP10 delegates should represent the rights and aspirations of ordinary consumers."

CAPHRA maintains that adults have the right to make choices that help them avoid adverse health consequences and that smokers have the right to access less harmful nicotine products as an alternative to tobacco such as cigarettes. In addition, the letter states that they have the right to participate in the policymaking process that directly affects their health.

CAPHRA Executive Director Nancy Loucas said the exclusion of consumer voices leads to errors and misinformation in tobacco control policies that ultimately lead to policy failure.

COP10 will be held in Panama in November.