BRUSSELS, 27 February 2026 – In an open letter addressed to President Ursula von der Leyen, 23 of Europe’s leading scientific experts have condemned the European Commission for spreading “damaging misinformation” regarding the safety of nicotine products. The signatories accuse Commissioner Várhelyi of making “scientifically untenable” claims that smoke-free alternatives are as harmful as combustible cigarettes.

The letter highlights a pattern of false statements, including the Commissioner’s claim that vaping causes “popcorn lung”—a condition for which there are zero known cases attributable to e-cigarette use. Additionally, by equating low-risk products with lethal cigarettes, the Commission is accused of undermining the “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan” and the credibility of EU institutions.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, stated:

“The experts are right to hold President von der Leyen’s Commission accountable. When top officials lie about the relative risks of nicotine, they are effectively betraying millions of smokers and ex-smokers. This disinformation doesn’t just confuse the public. It protects the cigarettes by removing the incentive for EU smokers to switch to far less harmful alternatives. It is a dangerous breach of trust.”

The letter warns that misrepresenting risks will lead to more smoking, excessive taxation, and the growth of an unregulated black market.

The World Vapers’ Alliance echoes the call of these 23 scientists for the Commission to immediately correct the record and ensure that future policymaking is grounded in sound science rather than politicised and harmful rhetoric.