🌐 A proposal from one small country could change the rules for nicotine worldwide! The Pacific state of Palau has asked the UN to review whether nicotine should be placed under international drug control, under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The use of controlled substances is largely restricted to medical and scientific purposes. If nicotine were added, every country that is party to the convention would have to change its laws. Including the Czech Republic. 🔬 The first step is a review by the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD). Its recommendation then goes to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which makes the final decision. That is why the evidence the committee receives matters so much. Nicotine is addictive, and that matters. But it is just as important to assess how individual products differ, how harmful each of them is, how nicotine is used in treatment, and what impact scheduling would have. ⚖️ At RATIO, we have published an analysis of the proposal. It also warns that people could lose access to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes and that the black market could grow. We recommend that governments involve experts in public health, international law and law enforcement in preparing their submissions, and submit their evidence on time. The groundwork for later decisions is being laid right now. Those who speak up early have more influence! 📖 Read our analysis: rationalpolicy.eu/en/news/in… #nicotine #regulation #publichealth #drugpolicy