Turin, 17.4.2024 – Turin’s city council has passed a new amendment to the urban police regulation, introducing significant restrictions on smoking and vaping. The amendment prohibits smoking or vaping near other people outdoors without their explicit consent if within five meters.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, explained that this measure will actually harm the population and not protect it and additionally be unenforceable:

“There is no scientific basis for ‘passive vaping,’ making an outdoor vaping ban for public health reasons completely illogical. Equating vaping with smoking only perpetuates the false perception that they carry similar risks, discouraging smokers from switching to a less harmful alternative. Furthermore, how would such a 5-metre rule even be enforced? This is nothing more than a poorly conceived publicity stunt by the council, one that could have serious negative consequences.”

Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager of the World Vapers’ Alliance added:

“It is completely absurd to equate vaping and smoking, especially when it comes to the regulation of smoke-free areas and outdoor spaces. While the smoke from traditional cigarettes harms those near the smoker, e-cigarettes’ vapour is virtually harmless for those around the vaper. This measure will be impossible to enforce and will only further discourage smokers from switching to safer alternatives.”