By Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance
This year, the world’s eyes will turn to Geneva as leaders gather for COP11, the World Health Organization’s critical conference on tobacco control. As decisions are made that will impact global health for years to come, Barbados finds itself at a crossroads. Will the country simply follow the crowd, or will it seize the chance to be a bold voice for pragmatic, science-driven solutions like harm reduction?
Harm reduction offers a compassionate alternative to the all-or-nothing approach of demanding smokers quit nicotine entirely. For many, quitting smoking is an uphill battle, and traditional methods don’t always work. That’s where safer alternatives such as vaping, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn products come in. These options deliver nicotine without burning tobacco, dramatically reducing the harmful toxins that cause cancer, heart disease, and lung illnesses. It’s this simple fact that removing smoke cuts the risk, that has led millions worldwide to quit cigarettes by switching to these less harmful products.
Countries that have embraced harm reduction, like Sweden, the UK, and New Zealand, have seen impressive drops in smoking rates. Their success shows that offering smokers realistic choices rather than imposing strict bans or abstinence-only policies truly saves lives. Unfortunately, the current agenda for COP11 undermines this progress by dismissing harm reduction as mere rhetoric, ignoring the scientific evidence and the real people behind these success stories.
It’s no secret that smaller countries, including those in the Caribbean, are often sidelined at these global meetings. Powerful donors and influential voices dominate the conversation, which risks drowning out the perspectives and urgent public health needs of nations like Barbados. But the truth is this: Barbados matters far more than the ego of any billionaire or outside influence. The country’s voice is needed to uphold fairness, inclusion, and scientific integrity within the global tobacco control debate.
Barbados now has a unique opportunity to lead. By actively advocating for harm reduction at COP11, the country can push for policies that reflect real-world evidence and human realities. This means rejecting one-size-fits-all bans, demanding transparent discussions, supporting the creation of dedicated working groups on harm reduction, and insisting that those directly impacted, adult smokers and former smokers, have meaningful input in policymaking.
Making this stand doesn’t just benefit Barbados’ own population. It sends a powerful message to other small and medium-sized nations often overshadowed in international forums: your voice counts, and your health concerns deserve respect. By demanding transparent negotiations free from hidden donor influence and by championing science over ideology, Barbados can act as a beacon of honest and effective public health policy.
Harm reduction is no passing trend or industry spin. It is a proven, life-saving public health strategy. Barbados has both the responsibility and the chance to stand up for better health outcomes at COP11 and beyond. This is the moment to show courage, speak clearly, and lead with evidence and compassion. The world is watching; let Barbados lead the way.
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