The World Health Organization (WHO) Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco Product Regulation met for the first time in Geneva on 12-13 October. As part of its initial meeting, WHO extended an invitation to selected tobacco companies to provide information on their company’s perspective on product modification and their efforts to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products.

WHO wanted to hear from the tobacco companies about the possible effect of changes to the design and manufacture of tobacco products. How would these changes affect toxicity, addictiveness, satisfaction, initiation of tobacco use, relapse in former smokers, and impact on non-smokers? How could these changes and their effects be measured?

Two tobacco companies, Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (BAT), chose to address the Scientific Advisory Committee and presented their perspectives. Prior to the presentations, WHO indicated that the presentations in no way should be interpreted as an endorsement of any of their products, nor should it reflect a partnership, collaboration or dialogue.

The Committee is composed of scientists and tobacco control experts from around the world. It was established as a result of a recommendation of a WHO conference in Oslo, Norway earlier this year. The Committee advises WHO and its 191 Member States on the regulatory framework, policy development, and dissemination of scientific information for tobacco products.

The WHO Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco Product Regulation will hold regular meetings and continue to seek broad input from all parties in an effort to reduce the massive harm caused by the use of tobacco products among those who cannot or will not discontinue the use of tobacco.