Geneva, 21 November 2025 – According to reports from Euractiv, multiple EU countries have accused the European Commission and the Danish COP Presidency of attempting to push for bans on vaping and nicotine pouches “through the back door” during COP11 — despite a prior EU agreement not to support global prohibition of less harmful alternatives.

The pressure reportedly centres around Article 4.5 of the COP11 agenda, which encourages countries to adopt stricter regulations or bans on tobacco and novel nicotine products. While the Commission and Denmark push for more aggressive language, Italy, Greece, and Poland are resisting, defending scientific evidence, national sovereignty, and proportionality in policymaking.

Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager at the World Vapers’ Alliance, said:

“The Commission and Denmark are treating European citizens like they don’t matter — ignoring science, silencing consumers, and backing WHO ideology over evidence. They should be ashamed. We applaud Italy, Greece, and Poland for standing up and exposing this abuse of power.”

The move has sparked internal tensions and highlights a deepening split within the EU delegation, warning that this backdoor strategy could preview what’s to come as the EU prepares to revise the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

Gómez Hernández added:

“This is not just dishonest, it’s a political betrayal. The Commission had no mandate to promote bans, yet it sided with prohibitionists and tried to force them through behind closed doors. If this is how Brussels plans to handle the TPD and TED revisions, the future of harm reduction in Europe is in serious danger.”

The World Vapers’ Alliance calls on all EU governments to publicly reject these tactics, defend democratic processes, and ensure harm reduction remains at the centre of European public health strategy.

For more information, see our full media pack here: https://worldvapersalliance.com/cop11-media-pack/