May 2, Budapest. Il-partit fil-gvern fl-Ungerija, Fidesz, jirdoppja l-pożizzjoni tiegħu kontra t-tnaqqis tal-ħsara mit-tabakk u jiċħad l-evidenza xjentifika dwar il-benefiċċji potenzjali tal-vaping għas-saħħa pubblika. Is-Segretarju tal-Istat tal-Ministeru tal-Intern, Benec Rétvári, jafferma mill-ġdid li l-Ungerija se tkompli tittratta l-vaping bl-istess mod bħat-tipjip u mhux se tħassar il-projbizzjoni tat-togħmiet tal-vaping.

Michael Landl, Direttur tal-Alleanza Dinjija tal-Vapers, qal: 

“"Huwa xokkanti li l-gvern Ungeriż għadu jħaddan miti mikulin u miċħuda dwar il-vaping. Rétvári jinjora sistematikament l-evidenza xjentifika li tipprova l-benefiċċji tal-vaping, biex ma nsemmux l-esperjenza diretta ta' miljuni ta' vapers. Il-vaping huwa..." 95% inqas ta 'ħsara milli t-tipjip u metodu aktar effettiv biex tieqaf tpejjep milli terapiji tradizzjonali bħal chewing gum u garżi tan-nikotina. L-approċċ Ungeriż għall-vaping mhux se jagħmel xejn ħlief jiswa l-ħajjiet.” 

Id-dikjarazzjoni hija tweġiba bil-miktub to a question asked by MP Laszló Lukács regarding the future treatment of vaping by the Hungarian government.

Furthermore, the government refuses to recognize the success of other countries that follow a harm-reduction approach. If they did, it would become clear that the current approach is wrong. The United Kingdom and Sweden are experiencing record-low smoking rates and fewer smoking-induced illnesses than Hungary because they encourage smokers to switch by smart regulation. At the same time, the Hungarian government continues its failing prohibitionist approach.

“The statement shows that Hungary intends to keep ignoring science and spreading misinformation about vaping. This is not a good sign for public health. Vaping is not the same as smoking and must be treated differently. Equating a 95% less harmful alternative with smoking will prevent thousands of smokers from quitting,”żied jgħid Landl.