COP stands for ‘Conference of the Parties:’ a global event that brings together decision makers from all countries signed up to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Sessions of the COP take place every two years and typically result in decisions and recommendations being made for how member countries should implement the treaty.
The tenth COP - COP10 - will take place from Monday 5 February to Saturday 10 February 2024 in Panama after being postponed from November 2023 due to security concerns.
Originally designed 20 years ago to be the first international treaty to address the harmful effects of combustible tobacco (primarily cigarettes and cigars), the FCTC has since extended its scope to include new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes/vapes, snus and nicotine pouches.
Discussions at the COPs influence tobacco control policies at a global level. The decisions made will be significant in determining the future of alternative nicotine products.
COP10 is set to consider a WHO report on “novel and emerging tobacco products,” including vapes, which brings together research and evidence on their:
- Health impacts, including on non-users
- Potential for addiction
- Attractiveness and marketing
- Potential role in initiating and quitting smoking
- Claims to help reduce harm
The meeting will then consider new policy options. These could include:
- A ban on all open system vaping products
- A ban on all flavours except tobacco
- A ban on nicotine salts in vaping products
- Regulation of products so they restrict delivery of nicotine
- A rule that vaping and heated tobacco products are treated in the same way as combustible tobacco
- Taxation at the same rate as cigarettes, banning use where smoking is prohibited, large graphic health warnings, plain packaging, and a ban on all advertising, promotion and sponsorship
