New Delhi [India], September 8: As policymakers and international health officials convene in Dublin to determine the course of tobacco and nicotine regulation, one critical perspective is conspicuously absent: the voice of consumers.

At the heart of the World Conference on Tobacco Control lies a fundamental oversight. Adult smokers and users of safer alternatives, those most directly impacted by such policies, are consistently left out of the conversation. Their exclusion is not merely a procedural flaw; it underscores a deeper injustice in the global approach to tobacco control. Despite awareness efforts like light shows and silent protests, the core issue remains unresolved.

This shift away from consumer voices coincides with the rise of prohibition-focused policies, often shaped by influential stakeholders such as Michael Bloomberg and the World Health Organization. As these perspectives gain prominence, there is a risk that harm reduction strategies may be overlooked—despite their growing relevance and urgency.

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