It is no secret to anyone in the vaping industry that Michael Bloomberg staunchly opposes vaping and backs numerous measures against vaping and tobacco control. The former 2020 presidential candidate and New York City mayor has a net worth of $59 billion as of this writing. He has donated much of his own fortune to various causes through Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Bloomberg Philanthropies is also noted for backing tobacco control initiatives around the world. But Bloomberg has funded the eighth World Health Organization (WHO) report on the global tobacco epidemic that will present data on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for the first time. Is this evidence that Bloomberg is weaponizing the WHO against the vaping industry?
The Role of the WHO in Tobacco Control
The WHO was founded on April 7, 1948, as a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The main objective of the organization is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” Historically, the WHO has played a role in eradicating smallpox and nearly eradicating polio, two deadly and debilitating diseases throughout human history. It has also been instrumental in fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, Ebola, and other communicable diseases, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding vaping, however, the WHO has come out swinging against the industry. “Nicotine is highly addictive. Electronic nicotine delivery systems are harmful, and must be better regulated,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He has been the Director-General of the WHO since 2017, and advocated for universal health coverage as his top priority during his tenure as Director-General. More recently, the WHO has had their hands full with the COVID-19 pandemic. The report utilizes the acronym MPOWER: Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; protect people from tobacco smoke; offer help to quit tobacco use; warn about the dangers of tobacco; enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and raise taxes on tobacco.
The fact that Bloomberg has funded this report is alarming for the vaping industry and those who are utilizing vaping as an alternative method of consuming nicotine. Vaping360’s Jim McDonald shone a light on what the WHO is doing regarding tobacco control. “In theory, the WHO and FCTC exist to create and promote health strategies demanded by member states. In reality, WHO tobacco policy goals and plans come from the top down. Bloomberg-sponsored Tobacco-Free Kids and its allies essentially run the WHO’s tobacco control operations as a subsidiary,” he said.
This statement also raises questions on harm reduction strategies, since the WHO also supports needle and syringe programs. However, by labeling vaping as harmful and highly addictive, it also shines a light on another concern: whether or not an non-profit organization such as the WHO will dictate what is considered harm reduction based on contributions from individuals or countries. All harm reduction strategies should be considered in the context of
public health. This includes vaping, which many individuals have reported success with in recent years.
What This Means For Your Business
The eJuices.co team has always advocated for the vaping industry through thick and thin. Recently, a Mayo Clinic study has shown that vaping is not linked to COVID-19. Also, one of the goals in the report recommends that countries raise taxes on tobacco products, assuming higher taxes will lead to less purchasing of vaping products. The WHO also inaccurately associates harm reduction techniques such as vaping with tobacco products, which is the approach of the United States.
Noting Bloomberg’s stance on vaping, vaping advocates have struck back. Sarah Jakes, a trustee of UK-based charity New Nicotine Alliance, said in a tweet, “Lobbying is sooo last century. Nowadays billionaire philanthropists can just buy opinion, and even entire UN health agencies, right Mike?” In light of mounting evidence that vaping was not tied to increased risk for COVID-19, this should ideally change the attitudes of policymakers worldwide.
Ironically, physicians themselves were also skeptical of the WHO report. “This report demonstrates that, sadly, the WHO still doesn’t understand the fundamental difference between addiction to tobacco smoking, which kills millions of people every year, and addiction to nicotine, which doesn’t,” said University of Nottingham Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology John Britton. Britton chaired a landmark 2016 report on vaping products conducted by the Royal College of Physicians’ Tobacco Advisory Group.
If you are a shop owner located outside of the United States, please let your eJuices.co account manager or sales representative know what is going on in your country regarding tobacco control and vaping laws. We’re looking forward to having a conversation with you and helping your business succeed.