With effect from March 14, 2023, the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations (INNCO) has recently announced that it will stop receiving funding from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW). However, INNCO emphasises that “this significant loss of funding does not hinder our ability to help our members and fulfil our objective as an organisation.”

"We are grateful for the support we have received from FSFW. We are excited about the opportunities ahead of us and remain committed to promoting harm reduction and improving public health," said Rob de Lange, President of INNCO.

Since its establishment in 2016, INNCO has been committed to empowering consumers of low-risk alternative nicotine products through its member organisations to ensure active participation in developing harm-reduction strategies for nicotine users worldwide. 

In 2018, INNCO achieved accreditation to the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meetings on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The collective efforts of its 35 consumer organisations worldwide have made INNCO the only recognised global stakeholder organisation advocating the recognition of a harm reduction approach for nicotine users.

According to INNCO:

"We are a global community of Safer Nicotine Products (SNP) users and hundreds of thousands of consumers associated with our member organisations who are fervent in our belief that it is important to give smokers access to SNPs at a reasonable price and accurate scientific information about their use. To protect the rights of more than 115 million safer nicotine products and deliver correct information to 1.3 billion users of harmful tobacco products, we will keep using some of our tried-and-true techniques while developing new ones.”

Mr. de Lange emphasised that INNCO will collaborate closely with other organisations and individuals who share its dedication to harm reduction.

"We are part of a broader movement of people who recognise the potential of alternative nicotine products to reduce the harms of smoking.” "We look forward to working with our partners worldwide to continue advancing this important cause," said Rob de Lange, President of INNCO.

INNCO has asserted that it is currently exploring all possibilities to implement its plans for this crucial year for harm reduction as a result of various regional and national regulatory challenges to alternative nicotine products worldwide, the reform of the EU's tobacco products directive, and the upcoming FCTC COP10 to be held in Panama in November 2023.

“We are also supporting the people we represent by exploring alternative funding sources and partnering with other organisations to make the strongest impact possible,” INNCO continues.

"We are steadfast in our commitment to serving our members and will exert all efforts to ensure our initiatives remain uninterrupted. INNCO is determined to sustain its active participation in global discussions centring on equitable regulation and disseminating public information about safer nicotine products. We firmly believe 'nothing about us – without us!' "

References:

The International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organisations –  www.innco.org