COP11: Day 1 Exposes an Echo Chamber Ignoring Real Progress in Tobacco Control

Geneva, 17 November 2025 — The first day of COP11 has revealed a troubling repeat of past failures. Rather than embrace evidence-based solutions, many countries applaud themselves for piling on more bans against less harmful nicotine products, while neglecting the outcomes.

Decisions at COP11 continue to be made in what can only be described as an echo chamber. Consumers are sidelined, and the focus is stuck on restrictions, rather than results. As delegations celebrate harsh flavour bans, disposable vape bans, and warnings on safer nicotine products, they ignore successful examples where embracing harm reduction has led to dramatic drops in smoking rates.

Countries like Sweden, the UK, and New Zealand have proved that practical support and risk-based regulation of alternatives like vaping and heated tobacco can accelerate the decline in smoking. New Zealand, in particular, reaffirmed this commitment at COP11, delivering a clear message: harm reduction works.

The only other country speaking out for harm reduction was Serbia. The Serbian delegation challenged the wave of prohibitionist pressure, reminding the COP of national sovereignty, constitutional limits, and the need to base policy on science and harm reduction, rather than ideology. In a room dominated by dogma, this was a rare and necessary dissent.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers Alliance, said:

“COP11 is repeating past mistakes by clinging to bans that ignore reality and hurt consumers. We applaud New Zealand for leading with evidence and Serbia for boldly standing against the tide. Consumer voices are missing, and until that changes, many lives will unnecessarily suffer.”

As COP11 continues, tobacco control finds itself at a crossroads: will it finally open up to science and consumer voices, or will it retreat further into secrecy and ideology?

For more information, see our full media pack here: https://worldvapersalliance.com/cop11-media-pack/

Here you can find an overview of country statements.