Brussels, 12.09.2022. A stħarriġ conducted by the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) among its members found that 97% of respondents prefer vaping flavours or a combination of flavours and tobacco taste. Additionally, higher taxation would push almost a third of vapers to the black market. The WVA urges politicians to listen to consumers and avoid regulations and bans, creating a public health disaster. 

Michael Landl, Direttur tal-World Vapers' Alliance, qal: 

“The survey among our members confirms what science has repeatedly proved: flavours are essential for people to quit smoking. Bans and high taxation only boost the black market and push many vapers back to smoking. It is time that politicians start listening to those most affected by their policies: the consumers!” 

Sejbiet ewlenin tal-istħarriġ: 

Togħmiet: 

• Numru xokkanti ta’ 97% ta’ dawk li wieġbu jippreferu t-togħmiet tal-vaping jew taħlita ta’ togħmiet u togħma tat-tabakk. 3% biss qalu li jippreferu t-tabakk. 
• Kieku t-togħmiet jiġu pprojbiti: aktar minn nofs dawk li jpejpu s-sigaretti elettroniċi jfittxu li jbigħu t-togħmiet tagħhom fis-suq iswed jew jerġgħu jibdew ipejpu. 21% jgħidu li jpejpu esklussivament it-togħma tat-tabakk, u 16% jaħsbu li jieqfu jpejpu. 

Żidiet fit-taxxa: 

• Iż-żidiet fit-taxxi jaqsmu l-imġiba tal-konsum tal-vapers: 
  • 31% jibqgħu jpejpu kif inhuma bħalissa u jħallsu prezz ogħla;
  • 30% jgħidu li se jużaw inqas sigaretti elettroniċi biex jikkumpensaw għaż-żieda fil-prezz;
  • 28% kienu jippruvaw iqiegħdu l-prodotti tagħhom fis-suq iswed.

Midja: 

• Dawk li jpejpu s-sigaretti elettroniċi jħossu li l-midja hija unilaterali u mhux oġġettiva biżżejjed meta tirrapporta dwar il-vaping. Numru xokkanti ta' 75% ikklassifika l-kopertura tal-midja f'pajjiżhom bħala mhux favorevoli.  

Regolament attwali: 

• Vapers evaluate the current regulatory framework similarly. 60% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current way vaping is treated by their governments.

The survey was conducted among members of the WVA. The total number of respondents was 415 in 36 countries. 

“These results show that those who can afford higher prices would pay the additional price and don’t change their behaviour. The worrying aspect is that for many vaping would become a luxury good, and almost a third would be pushed to the black market. Politicians must finally consider those unintended consequences when proposing new legislation”, added Landl.  

With the Tobacco Products Directive on the horizon, the WVA calls on the EU institutions to follow a risk-based approach to vaping. Future regulation must be based on science and the experience of millions of consumers. Less harmful products should be treated differently than cigarettes.