A Non-Communicable Diseases report by the EU’s Subcommittee on Public Health has officially recognized the effectivity of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

The European Parliament has officially recognized the substantial role of vaping in smoking cessation during a full assembly, following the endorsement of the products by the EU’s Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT) on November 7th. This development is considered a significant milestone in the effort to combat smoking-related illnesses within the European Union (EU), by embracing tobacco harm reduction (THR).

Part of the Parliament’s broader initiative on non-communicable diseases, the report not only acknowledges vaping as an effective method for smoking cessation but is also expected to influence the direction of health policies throughout the EU. However, a point of contention remains concerning the SANT’s initial recommendation to restrict vaping in specific public areas.

Nevertheless, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) Michael Landl, views the recognition of vapes as a positive step forward, highlighting a notable shift in recognizing the positive impact of the products on public health. He calls on the European Commission (EC), who remains staunchly against THR strategies, to align with this perspective. He emphasized that this endorsement represents the collective decision of the Parliament, the direct representatives of EU citizens.

On discussing this development with Landl in an attempt to gauge its significance, he told Vaping Post that while the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) report is significant, one must bear in mind that it is not binding by law. “Firstly, it’s important to note that while the NCD report is an influential document, it is not legislation and, as such, does not have direct consequences for the EU’s legislation. This means that the report’s adoption doesn’t automatically translate into changes in the law. However, its implications should not be underestimated.”

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