EU Cardiovascular Consultation: Public backs safer nicotine products

EU Cardiovascular Consultation:
Public backs safer nicotine products, review shows

Introduction

An AI-driven analysis of the EU Commission’s cardiovascular health comhairliúchán shows a large majority (76%) in favour of harm reduction among those who spoke about it. While many submissions focused on broader health issues, a closer look at responses mentioning safer nicotine products and harm reduction reveals clear public support.

Of those addressing harm reduction, most called for the EU to include less harmful alternatives like vaping, nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, and snus in order to cut smoking rates and prevent disease. Opposition to this approach was rare and mainly came from traditional tobacco control groups and some international health organisations. The pattern is simple: when the question of tobacco and harm reduction is raised, most respondents want the EU to support less harmful choices.

It is important to note that these results come from AI keyword analysis and offer a strong trend, but caution is needed in interpreting details. Even so, this evidence makes it hard to ignore what people actually want.

Results at a glance:

All submissions (677 total)

– Did not mention harm reduction or related products: 506 (74.7%)

– Positive towards harm reduction: 130 (19.2%)

– Neutral: 25 (3.7%)

– Negative: 16 (2.4%)

Submissions mentioning harm reduction (171 total)

– Positive: 130 (76%)

– Neutral: 25 (15%)

– Negative: 16 (9%)

The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) calls on the EU Commission to stop treating harm reduction as a threat. The science is clear: it’s the smoke that harms, not the nicotine in vaping or pouches. Countries like Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Greece lead the way by embracing harm reduction. Sweden is nearly smoke-free because it supports less harmful alternatives. The EU should follow this successful model instead of clinging to outdated ideology and misinformation.

Le déanaí ráitis by the EU Commission wrongly claim new nicotine products have risks “comparable to smoking”. These claims go against almost every major scientific review. Policies built on misinformation keep people smoking, cost lives, and ignore evidence-based public health strategies. Holding consultations is pointless if outcomes are already decided and citizens’ input is just a fig leaf for preset decisions.

The EU must listen to its citizens—otherwise consultations are a farce. Policymakers should base health decisions on facts, not fear or outdated myths. Smokers, vapers, and other nicotine consumers deserve real choice and accurate information. Europe should lead on harm reduction, not ignore its own success stories or the will of its people.