1 December 2021 – Brussels: Many European politicians have little or no knowledge of any type of new nicotine product but wish to regulate it nonetheless. The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) is deeply concerned that politicians who don’t have enough knowledge and have not seen the evidence about the issue want to decide the future of vaping.

Inteligencia electrónica surveyed Members of the European Parliament (MEP) for the second time (the last survey was in 2020) and the results show that many MEPs continue to be misinformed or uninformed about vaping and other less harmful alternatives to smoking.

Michael Landl, Director of the WVA, commented on the survey:

"It is deeply concerning that those making decisions about the future of vaping are doing so without accurate information. Policy decisions should be rational and based on science instead of vague perceptions. It has been proven repeatedly that vaping is less harmful than smoking and therefore public health policies must include it. We urge all politicians to listen to science and those who are hit the hardest by bad anti-vaping regulation – the consumers. Policymaking must be evidence-based.”  

Principales conclusiones de la encuesta:

• More than a third of MEPs have no knowledge of any type of new nicotine product (vaping, heat not burn, pouches), and over one in ten are not even aware of any of them.
• Incredibly, 28% believe that vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking and a further 18% don’t know at all.
• Además, 16% cree erróneamente que vapear probablemente lleve a los no fumadores a fumar cigarrillos.
• On flavours, the worrying trend from last year continues. 53% are in favour of regulating flavours the same or even more than cigarettes.

The lack of knowledge about new nicotine products shows that there is a need for a better understanding of and engagement with the issue. Therefore the WVA together with the Centro de elección del consumidor has published a policy brief about nicotine and the unintended consequence of an unscientific war on nicotine.

“The discourse is riddled with double standards and partial truths. Due to innovation, nicotine consumption can finally be decoupled from the hazardous effects of smoking and therefore help millions of smokers to improve their health. And yet, vaping and nicotine consumption, in general, are unjustifiably demonised. This must end”, concluded Michael Landl.

FIN

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Notas para el editor:

Contacto de prensa:

Michael Landl

Director de la Alianza Mundial de Vapeadores

michael@worldvapersalliance.com

• The survey can be found aquí.
• The policy brief “nicotine is not your enemy” can be found aquí.
• La Alianza Mundial de Vapeadores (WVA) da voz a los vapeadores de todo el mundo y les da las herramientas para generar un impacto positivo en sus comunidades. Nuestros miembros son asociaciones de vapeadores y vapeadores individuales de todo el mundo. Más información en www.worldvapersalliance.com
• Michael Landl es el director de la Alianza Mundial de Vapeadores. Es austriaco y reside en Viena. Es un experto en políticas públicas con amplia experiencia y un apasionado del vapeo. Estudió en la Universidad de St. Gallen y trabajó para diversas organizaciones de políticas públicas y en el Parlamento alemán.