In yet another statement spreading falsehoods about vaping, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, questioned the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation aid, and even claimed vaping acts as a gateway to smoking.

Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) Michael Landl, said it is distressing that the EC is still ignoring the science about vaping and making such claims. “It is shocking that the EU Commission still peddles these worn-out and debunked theories. The Commission systematically ignores the wealth of scientific evidence pointing to the benefits of vaping, not to mention the first-hand experience of millions of vapers. Vaping is 95% less harmfulthan smoking and a more effective method to quit smoking than traditional therapies such as gum and patches. The Commission’s approach to vaping will do nothing but cost lives.”

The statement in question is a written response to a query by MEP Sara Skyttedal regarding the future treatment of vaping and snus, and where they fit in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. “Overall, smokeless and emerging tobacco and related products contain nicotine, a toxic and highly addictive substance – responsible for well-known health consequences – and they prolong the nicotine addiction3 . This is why these products are regulated and in the case of oral tobacco, banned in the EU,” concluded the statement.

Read the full text here