This week’s tobacco harm reduction landscape brings a mix of policy concern, global health data, and critical reflections on Europe’s priorities.

WVA’s Policy Manager Alberto Gómez Hernández recently shared a strong perspective on Belgium’s approach to vaping laws. In a new interview with the Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN), Alberto breaks down how the country’s increasingly restrictive stance might be doing more harm than good. Rather than protecting public health, these measures risk pushing people away from less harmful alternatives and back toward smoking. Even if you are not based in Belgium, the message resonates globally. The issues he raises reflect what many reduced-risk product advocates and business owners are facing in their own regions.

Turning to Latin America, Brazil offers a stark example of what happens when less harmful nicotine products are banned outright. Vaping remains illegal in the country, and the consequences are now showing up in official data. Between 2023 and 2024, smoking increased by 25% – the first rise in tobacco use in Brazil in two decades. This data sends a clear warning. Keeping reduced-risk products out of legal markets does not protect people; it puts them at greater risk by eliminating proven tools for smoking cessation. Brazil’s experience underscores why defending access to harm reduction is critical everywhere.

For our German-speaking readers, WVA Director Michael Landl has published a compelling analysis of Europe’s current direction. In his latest blog, he questions whether the European Union is losing its focus by choosing to act as a global moral authority rather than pursuing real, much-needed reform. His piece offers a thoughtful look at how political posturing may be weakening the EU’s credibility while failing to address urgent challenges facing European citizens – particularly younger generations.

Whether it is misguided laws in Belgium, bans in Brazil, or misplaced priorities in Brussels, one thing is clear. The global fight for tobacco harm reduction is far from over. But with strong voices, better data, and persistent advocacy, we have the tools to keep moving forward.

Stay tuned for more updates next week.