The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has expressed its disappointment that the European Parliament’s draft reporton Beating Cancer doesn’t unequivocally back vaping to beat cancer.

The draft report, published on 25 June, is an improvement on the European Commission’s draft, which leaves the door open for flavour bans and higher taxes. But in failing to make a clear statement on the potential of vaping and harm reduction in the fight against smoking-induced cancer, the EP report misses the mark.

WVA Director Michael Landl said:

“Members of the European Parliament have taken the time to listen to vapers and their stories, as well as to the wealth of evidence that has been presented by experts. Vaping could save an additional 19 million lives in Europe if the right policies are put in place."

“But the Parliament has yet to fully back vaping as a tool to help smokers quit. It is vital that vapers continue to tell their stories and ensure their representatives understand how vaping has helped them change their lives for the better,” Landl added.

The EP report does not explicitly put vaping in the same category as tobacco cigarettes, and this is to be welcomed. But with a full review of the Tobacco Products Directive on the horizon and proposals from the European Commission to treat e-cigarettes like tobacco up for debate, vapers must raise their voices even louder.

“We will keep fighting for sensible vaping regulation in Europe, and encourage all MEPs to look at the science and endorse vaping as a harm reduction method. Flavour bans and tax increases will just make it harder for smokers to switch. The final version of the Parliament’s Beating Cancer Plan is expected to be presented this Autumn. So there is still room for improvement,” Landl concluded.