29.06.2022 – Brussels. Today, the EU Commission announced a plan to ban the sale of all flavoured heated tobacco products. The EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, also called for “stricter enforcement” for new products entering the market.

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

“It is shocking that the EU Commission still fights tobacco harm reduction. To achieve its own 5% tobacco use target, we need as many options as possible. Vaping, nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn products all help people to quit smoking and are less harmful. The Commission systematically ignores the wealth of scientific evidence pointing to the benefits, not to mention the first-hand experience of millions of vapers. The Commission’s negative approach to harm reduction will do nothing but boost the black market and push people back to smoking.” 

According to Politico, the main reason for the push to ban flavored heated tobacco products are the increased sales and to protect the youth. 

While according to the EU Commission, 700,000 people die yearly from smoking related illnesses they are concerned about the rise in sales of less harmful alternatives. The EU’s own Eurobarometer research says that: “nearly eight in ten (79%) among heated tobacco product users and a quarter of those who have tried heated tobacco products find them appealing, compared to only one in twenty among those who have never tried them.” Indicating that those products are clearly relevant for current smokers.  

“Instead of recommending smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives, Commissioner Kyriakides refuses to listen to science, experts, and consumers. This plan shows that the EU Commission intends to further crack down on harm reduction while accepting all the negative consequences”, added Landl.

The upcoming update of the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) will determine the future of vaping, possibly threatening the most successful smoking cessation aids and public health. Currently, the EU is discussing the next TPD update and how to include new nicotine alternatives. Unfortunately, the EU aims to continue its hostile and anti-scientific attack on vaping and other harm reducing products.