Dublin, 23 June 2025 – As the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) opens its doors in Dublin, a light show illuminated the conference centre tonight, visually representing the voices of millions of consumers who remain unheard and unrepresented in global tobacco control discussions. The campaign, “Voices Unheard – Consumers Matter!”, is launched by the World Vapers’ Alliance to challenge the ongoing exclusion of consumer perspectives from tobacco control debates.

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

“While policymakers debate behind closed doors, millions of consumers are left in the dark. Our voices matter and cannot be ignored. Powerful interests, like those of Michael Bloomberg, continue to push for bans that remove safer alternatives from the market. This approach disregards scientific evidence and the real-world experiences of millions of adults who have successfully quit smoking with the help of reduced-risk products. Policymakers must listen to consumers and base their decisions on facts, not ideology or the influence of wealthy donors.”

With the upcoming COP11 in Geneva later this year, it is more important than ever that the voices of those most affected by tobacco and nicotine policies are included in the decision-making process. While hundreds of decision-makers gather to discuss tobacco control, consumers—those most affected by policies—find themselves sidelined. The lightshow symbolises their silencing, casting a powerful message: “We are here, but you are not listening.” The campaign calls for genuine inclusion and a seat at the table for those who live with the consequences of policy decisions every day.

The campaign launch comes amid renewed attacks from the World Health Organization (WHO) on harm reduction, with a recent call for bans on all flavoured nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy and Advocacy Manager for the WVA, comments:

“Banning flavours is not about protection, it’s about denying adults the tools they need to quit smoking. The WHO’s approach is out of touch and putting lives at risk. Science and consumers must be unsilenced.”

The campaign will continue throughout the year, advocating for evidence-based harm reduction policies and challenging the status quo that leaves consumers without a voice as the world prepares for COP11 in Geneva.