The Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s GoodCOP 2.0 – The Conference of the People is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland from 17–22 November 2025, running parallel to the WHO’s COP11 negotiations. Unlike the closed-door proceedings of the official FCTC conference, GoodCOP 2.0 brings together consumer advocates, public-health experts, academics, journalists, and policymakers from around the world to promote transparency, evidence-based policymaking, and genuine public participation in global health governance.
This daily recap highlights the key discussions, insights, and moments from each day of GoodCOP 2.0—capturing what happened, why it matters, and how it shapes the broader conversation on tobacco harm reduction, consumer rights, and accountable policymaking.
You can catch all the sessions HERE
OPENING SESSION
Participants: David Williams (USA) and Martin Cullip (UK)
The Day 3 opening session emphasised the contrast between the transparency of GoodCOP 2.0 and the closed nature of WHO’s COP11. Delegates like David Williams and Martin Cullip noted the increasing support for tobacco harm reduction from countries like St. Kitts & Nevis and Gambia, with calls for evidence-based regulation. Cullip highlighted the influential role of Bloomberg-funded NGOs in COP11, shaping discussions and promoting a prohibitionist agenda, while GoodCOP allows public observation. Internal EU disagreements on “forward-looking measures” and the WHO’s restrictive practices were highlighted, with participants criticising its award system that recognises prohibitionist countries. The impacts of prohibition, such as the rise of illicit markets, were discussed, with examples from Panama and Mexico. The session concluded with an emphasis on Asian tobacco users’ experiences, often overlooked in WHO conversations, and a tribute to individuals affected by smoking-related harm.
ASIAN-PACIFIC DAY, WELCOME ADDRESS
Presenter: Nancy Loucas
In her welcome address for Asia-Pacific Day, Nancy Loucas highlighted the challenges and opportunities in the region’s tobacco harm reduction efforts. She emphasised the importance of consumer voices and the impact of harm-reduction denialism, noting the region’s significant tobacco burden, with 781 million users and many preventable deaths from harmful products like gutka and khaini. Loucas pointed out the contradictions of governments profiting from tobacco while restricting safer nicotine alternatives, criticising misinformation propagated by certain NGOs. She advocated for “ground-up” organising to promote advocacy, stressing the importance of collaboration among scientists, public-health leaders, and consumers. Loucas shared personal experiences to underscore the human element in harm reduction and called for a focus on humanity and evidence in public health discussions, concluding with an appeal for open-mindedness and learning from the Asia-Pacific perspective.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION:
A PATHWAY TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Presenter: Prof. Tikki Pangestu
Dr. Tikki Pangestu’s keynote address addressed the intricate issues surrounding tobacco use, regulation, and harm reduction in Southeast Asia, highlighting the region’s significant burden as it is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s tobacco users. Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam experience high smoking rates and related mortality, presenting formidable challenges.He noted stark regulatory disparities, with some nations adopting regulated markets for alternative products, while others impose strict bans, as seen in Singapore’s classification of vaping as a Class 1 narcotic, leading to severe penalties. These restrictive measures often exacerbate illicit markets, compromise consumer safety, and diminish government revenues.Dr. Pangestu emphasised that regulatory frameworks are influenced by cultural, economic, and political contexts, particularly in countries where tobacco taxes constitute a major revenue source. This creates a conflict between health advocates pushing for reduced tobacco harm and finance and agriculture sectors prioritising revenue and employment.The speech contrasted prohibition and regulated-market models, advocating for regional cooperation within ASEAN to harmonise definitions, establish standards, and improve enforcement against illicit trade. He called for more localised research on health and economic impacts to inform policy, moving away from reliance on data from Western countries.In conclusion, he cautioned against the unintended repercussions of prohibition, such as unsafe products and organised crime, and pointed out the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements in safer nicotine alternatives. He stressed the importance of credible information and risk-proportionate regulations, ultimately advocating for a regulatory environment where safer alternatives are embraced by businesses and consumers, with a focus on public well-being.
SESSION 1 – CONSUMER PERSPECTIVES:
VOICES FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC
Participants: Nancy Loucas, Clarisse Yvette Virgino (Philippines) and Asa Saligupta (Thailand)
The first consumer-focused session of Asia Day featured advocates Clarisse Virgino from the Philippines and Asa Saligupta from Thailand, who discussed the challenges posed by restrictive tobacco harm-reduction policies. Virgino highlighted that while the Philippines has legalised safer nicotine products, heavy taxes and strict regulations have pushed consumers toward the illicit market. In Thailand, an enduring ban on vaping has failed to control usage or curb the illicit trade, exacerbated by societal stigma and misinformed public perceptions. Both advocates addressed accusations of industry funding by emphasising their personal motivations rooted in lived experiences, countering misinformation through grass roots education and community engagement. A key theme was the importance of persistence in advocacy, calling for consumer involvement in policymaking and a regulatory approach that priorities public health over political agendas. They collectively underscored that the essence of harm-reduction advocacy is to protect individuals seeking safer alternatives.
HARM REDUCTION DENIED IN ASIA PACIFIC
Presenter: Nancy Loucas
Nancy Loucas presented her white paper “Harm Reduction Denied in Asia Pacific,” critiquing the WHO’s refusal to acknowledge tobacco harm reduction despite its inclusion in the FCTC. She highlighted a contradiction where the WHO supports harm reduction for drugs and other health issues but excludes tobacco, which leads to more deaths than those other factors combined. Loucas asserted that the WHO’s stance is ideologically driven, not scientifically supported, as smoke-free alternatives significantly reduce toxic exposure. She pointed out that countries like India and China, which ban safer alternatives, are praised, while those like Japan and New Zealand, that adopt harm reduction, face penalties.The Asia Pacific region, home to 63% of global tobacco users, illustrates the failings of prohibitionist policies, as seen in increased illicit markets and no reduction in smoking rates. Structural barriers perpetuating failed tobacco policies include government reliance on tobacco revenue, lobbying by prohibitionist NGOs, and the secrecy of FCTC meetings.Loucas argued that denying harm reduction violates the right to health, particularly for marginalised populations. The session concluded with a call to restore harm reduction within the FCTC, adopt risk-based regulations, and prioritise consumer access to safer options, framed as a matter of dignity and compassion. Loucas emphasised the potential to save lives by replacing ideology with evidence and recognising consumer rights.
SESSION 2 – SCIENCE AND MEDICINE:
EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES TO TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION
Participants: Host: Nancy Loucas, Dr. Rohan Sequeira (India), Prof. Sharifa Puteh (Malaysia)
This session convened medical and scientific professionals from India and Malaysia to address the challenges of tobacco harm reduction (THR) in Asia, where its potential benefits are often overlooked amid widespread misinformation. Moderated by Nancy Loucas, experts Dr. Rohan Andrade De Sequeira and Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh highlighted misconceptions about nicotine, regulatory hurdles, and the socio-economic context inhibiting THR acceptance. They emphasised that misinformation, particularly the belief that nicotine causes cancer, persists among clinicians due to outdated educational paradigms and restrictive research environments. The need for localised research was stressed, contrasting effective real-world outcomes in countries like Japan and Sweden with prohibitive policies in Asia that stymie similar studies. The panel also discussed the unique cultural dynamics surrounding tobacco use in Asia, including punitive enforcement in India and regulatory fragmentation in Malaysia, complicating THR implementation. They noted that despite many medical professionals supporting THR in private, public discourse is stifled by stigma and governmental constraints. An ideal public health strategy would prioritise safer nicotine alternatives, emphasise real-world evidence, and adapt policies to regional contexts. The experts concluded that while Asia’s advocacy for THR is nascent, progress can be achieved through persistent evidence sharing and engagement with policymakers.
SESSION 3 – REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS:
BALANCING INNOVATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN
ASIA PACIFIC
Participants: Host: Heneage Mitchell, Dr. Rohan Sequiera, Prof. Dr. Sharifa Puteh, Clarisse Virgino, Asa Saligupta, Sairah Salim Sartoni, Nancy Loucas
Session 3 focused on the regulatory diversity in the Asia-Pacific region regarding safer nicotine products, highlighting a struggle between innovation and public health. Despite the region’s acceptance of harm reduction in other areas, tobacco-related policies often favour abstinence, violating the UN Right to Health. Exclusion of consumers from policymaking leads to disconnected policies and perpetuates misinformation about nicotine and vaping. Evidence shows that regulation rather than prohibition lowers smoking rates and improves public health outcomes. Empathetic engagement from vape shops has proven more effective than traditional cessation methods. The session concluded with a call for compassionate advocacy, reiterating that balanced regulation, consumer involvement, and medical evidence are essential for reducing smoking rates, despite ongoing ideological barriers.
