More than 100,000 citizens rally against EU vaping restrictions, demanding protection for flavours and harm reduction strategies.
The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has rallied over 100,000 supporters to voice a clear message to the European Union: stop hindering harm reduction efforts.
This significant petition, driven by consumers across Europe, calls for evidence-based policies to support vaping as a safer alternative to smoking.
Director of the WVA, Michael Landl, criticised the EU’s increasing restrictions, warning of potential public health setbacks.
Policies under review include flavour bans, outdoor vaping restrictions, and increased taxation, which Landl argues could drive former smokers back to combustible cigarettes.
He stated that the EU’s misguided crusade against vaping and harm reduction is a public health disaster in the making.
The discussion surrounding vaping policy coincides with Sweden’s success in becoming a near smokefree nation, boasting a smoking rate just above 5 percent.
The WVA attributes much of this achievement to the country’s open harmreduction strategies, contrasting sharply with the EU’s cautious stance, which places the bloc 60 years behind Sweden in its smoke-free goals.
The petition, titled #EveryLifeCounts, highlights the staggering loss of 700,000 lives annually across the EU to smoking related illnesses.
It details a strong message on the site, stating:
“This isn’t just a petition; it’s a demand for the protection of harm-reduction products, which are vital for public health.
Your support is more than valuable—it’s crucial for advocating sensible, lifesaving policies.”
The WVA stresses that restrictive measures targeting safer nicotine products, such as vaping and nicotine pouches, are counterproductive.
Instead, they advocate for consumer-friendly policies to enable adults to access safer alternatives.
The petition emphasises the importance of preserving flavoured vaping products, which many ex-smokers credit for their successful transitions.
It calls for a commitment to harm-reduction strategies, ensuring that safer nicotine products remain affordable and accessible.
Additionally, it pushes for risk-based regulations that recognise the significantly reduced harm posed by vaping compared to combustible tobacco.
The World Vapers’ Alliance plans to present the petition to the EU Parliament’s PETI committee, urging them to reconsider the upcoming revisions to the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
The WVA warns that failure to adapt could jeopardise what they describe as the most successful smoking cessation tool in history.
For European vapers, this campaign represents not just a fight for flavours but a broader call to prioritise public health and consumer choice.
As Landl concludes, the voices of 100,000 consumers demanding this change must not be ignored.
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