MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) expressed concern over corruption allegations against the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the United States鈥� withdrawal of support.
CAPHRA said it had 鈥渄eep concerns鈥� about recent events involving the WHO.
The group raised questions about the effectiveness of the organization鈥檚 global public health policies, pointing to accusations of corruption and mismanagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time to hold the WHO to its mandate and core mission of protecting global health based on science, not ideology; that is inclusive of all stakeholders, without judgment or prejudice,鈥� said Nancy Loucas, CAPHRA executive coordinator.
CAPHRA cited evidence of inappropriate influence, primarily by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in domestic policymaking in the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
In the Philippines, a 2021 House of Representatives public hearing revealed that the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received grants to fund the drafting of local regulations for cigarette alternatives from foreign private organizations funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
In Bangladesh, the appointment of Saima Wazed as WHO regional director for South East Asia (SEARO) is under scrutiny.
Wazed, the daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was elected in November 2023 amid allegations that her mother improperly influenced the election.
The director of Bangladesh鈥檚 Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was quoted in a newspaper saying corruption was suspected in Wazed鈥檚 appointment.
In Pakistan, the government suspended the activities of Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies, two international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, citing several violations.
The Interior Ministry also asked the State Bank of Pakistan to freeze the organizations鈥� bank accounts.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) faces allegations of incorporating the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) agenda into a draft regulation on plain packaging for cigarettes.
This sparked concerns about potential foreign intervention in Indonesia鈥檚 tobacco policy.
Hikmahanto Juwana, a professor of international law at the University of Indonesia (UI), said that Indonesia should protect its national sovereignty from foreign intervention and that all government policies should be based on domestic conditions.
In India, New Delhi stopped a small nonprofit funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies from conducting tobacco-control work after it failed to disclose its funding, according to a Reuters report.
An official said other foreign-funded organizations will need prior approval for anti-tobacco activities in the capital.
In Vietnam, the Consumer Choice Center said Bloomberg鈥檚 鈥渉armful interference鈥� threatens smoking reduction.
A Facebook post showed WHO officials in Vietnam thanking Bloomberg鈥檚 organizations for their support in providing technical assistance to the government on smoking and nicotine products.
鈥淭he push from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the WHO represents a form of regulatory colonialism, where foreign entities dictate policies without considering the unique challenges of individual countries,鈥� the Consumer Choice Center said.
CAPHRA said it finds the allegations concerning, particularly as the WHO prepares to convene the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the FCTC despite funding constraints from the US withdrawal.
COP11, scheduled for Nov. 17 to 22, 2025, at the Geneva International Conference Centre in Switzerland, is expected to cost the WHO millions of dollars.
The US withdrew its WHO membership, citing concerns over the organization鈥檚 handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its response to global health crises, and its ability to implement reforms and maintain independence from inappropriate political influence.
This decision has prompted other countries, including Argentina, Hungary, Italy, and potentially Russia and the UK, to reassess their affiliations, raising broader discussions about the WHO鈥檚 impartiality and political influence.
CAPHRA also urged Asia-Pacific countries, including the Philippines, to assert independent policies and reject influence from foreign funders.
鈥淎t this year鈥檚 COP, it is crucial that the Philippines assert its sovereignty against Bloomberg鈥檚 influence over the FCTC and advocate for its own policies. This ensures that smokers who do not quit will have access to less harmful alternatives,鈥� CAPHRA said.
CAPHRA promotes tobacco harm reduction (THR) 鈥� a public health approach that provides smokers with less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
Scientific studies show that tobacco harm reduction and smoke-free products such as vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches are far less harmful than cigarettes, which produce toxic smoke.