The European Commission recently opened the evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control (Tobacco Products Directive – TPD) to analyze to what extent the framework has fulfilled its goals and whether it will sustain a ‘tobacco-free generation’ by 2040, as announced in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The call for evidence closed on 17 June with 24,359 submissions from consumers and experts from all European countries. 

For too long, lawmakers have ignored vapers’ voices, and this time we witnessed unexpected participation of more than 20,000 people who wanted to project a shared message among all vapers, ex-smokers, and those who rely on vaping in their aspirations to quit. It’s time for the EU to listen to us! 

Consumers that took part in the submission process called on the EU to adopt the harm reduction approach to vaping, which includes the withdrawal of flavour bans, as vape flavours are essential for smokers to quit, affordable access to vaping products, and popularising vaping as an effective smoking-cessation tool. 

Millions of vapers have successfully quit smoking thanks to vaping and politicians must listen to their lived experiences and draft legislation with the interests of vapers at heart. 

World Vapers Alliance also participated in this consultation, supporting millions of people who quit smoking through vaping. 

“19 million more lives can be saved in Europe with consumer-friendly vaping regulations. This is why vaping must not be treated like smoking. Any approach other than harm reduction will be a significant setback in the fight against smoking-induced illnesses,” we told the EU Commission in our submission on behalf of our members. 

The WVA suggested implementing practical solutions aimed at effective harm reduction, including encouraging current smokers to switch to vaping by following the examples of the UK and New Zealand; guaranteed access to vaping products to adults and reasonable regulation of products based on their risk potential. Vaping is not smoking and must be treated differently.

The WVA will continue pushing the EU to finally listen to consumers, experts, and science. Now, with the end of the call for evidence, we will again kick off our Back Vaping. Beat Smoking campaign, but we already need your help! 

Raise your voice and tell your vaping success story to politicians in the European Parliament. 

Click here to contact an MEP