Dublin, 23 juni 2025 – Following yesterday’s lightshow, the World Vapers’ Alliance continues its “Stemmen die niet gehoord worden – Consumenten doen ertoe!” campaign with a silent protest at the Wereldconferentie over tabakscontrole (WCTC). Demonstrators, their mouths taped, stand in solidarity outside the conference centre, representing the ongoing exclusion of nicotine consumers from crucial policy discussions.

While delegates and experts debate the future of tobacco control inside, consumers remain on the margins—their experiences and voices ignored.

Michael Landl, directeur van de World Vapers' Alliance, zegt:

“It is a symbol of how consumers are silenced in these discussions. We are here, our stories matter, and it’s time policymakers started listening. Instead of banning flavours and safer alternatives, we need policies that protect both youth and adult smokers who want to quit. Silencing consumers is not the answer."

The protest comes amid mounting concerns over the World Health Organization’s (WHO) aggressive stance against harm reduction, including recent demands to ban flavoured tobacco and nicotine products. Such measures risk undermining the progress made by millions of adults who have successfully transitioned away from combustible cigarettes using safer alternatives.

Alberto Gómez Hernández, beleids- en belangenbehartigingsmanager voor de WVA, zegt:

“Safer nicotine alternatives save lives, but only with sensible, evidence-based regulation. Consumers must be included in the conversation. Outdated, dogmatic tobacco control policies, which stubbornly ignore the potential of harm reduction, are holding back public health progress."

The World Vapers’ Alliance calls for genuine consumer inclusion in tobacco control policy, evidence-based harm reduction, and an end to the marginalisation of those who stand to benefit most from progressive, life-saving measures as the world prepares for COP11 in Geneva.