Palau's decision to act
The Republic of Palau has been at the forefront of tobacco and nicotine regulation for more than a decade. In 2023, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. signed legislation prohibiting the import, distribution, sale, possession, and use of electronic cigarettes. Palau's decision to act is grounded in both its own public health experience and the scientific evidence supporting a critical review of nicotine under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. No country had formally initiated this process in more than 75 years of international drug control.
The supporting dossier submitted with the notification was prepared by independent scientific experts, including Prof. Coral Gartner (University of Queensland), Dr. Carolyn Dresler, Dr. Charis Girvalaki, and Prof. Thomas Münzel (University Medical Center Mainz).
The people behind the notification
President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr.
President of the Republic of Palau since 2021, President Whipps has made tobacco and nicotine regulation a defining feature of his administration. Under his leadership, Palau became one of the first countries in the world to comprehensively prohibit e-cigarettes, and has maintained one of the lowest levels of tobacco industry interference of any nation globally.
First Lady Valerie R. Whipps
Chairwoman of the Coalition for Tobacco Free Palau, First Lady Valerie R. Whipps has been a leading advocate for tobacco and nicotine control in Palau. She was a driving force behind Palau's 2023 prohibition on e-cigarettes.