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.

ECigIntelligence 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.”  

Key findings of the survey:

• 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.
• Also, 16% incorrectly believe that vaping is likely to lead non-smokers to smoking cigarettes
• 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 Centre de choix du consommateur 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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Notes à l'éditeur :

Contact presse :

Michel Landl

Directeur de l'Alliance Mondiale des Vapoteurs

michael@worldvapersalliance.com

• The survey can be found ici.
• The policy brief “nicotine is not your enemy” can be found ici.
• La World Vapers' Alliance (WVA) amplifie la voix des vapoteurs du monde entier et leur permet de faire la différence pour leurs communautés. Nos membres sont des associations de vapoteurs ainsi que des vapoteurs individuels du monde entier. Plus d'informations sur www.worldvapersalliance.com
• Michael Landl est le directeur de la World Vapers' Alliance. Il est originaire d'Autriche et réside à Vienne. C'est un professionnel expérimenté de la politique et un vapoteur passionné. Il a étudié à l'Université de Saint-Gall et a travaillé pour plusieurs organismes de politique publique et au Parlement allemand.