The debate about a flavour ban has re-opened in the Netherlands – even though consumers already voiced their opposition against the policy. 

So let’s tell the Dutch government one more time to scrap this bad idea because Smaken zijn belangrijk!

Last year the Government already opened a consultation which has seen the largest ever pool of responses in the history of public health consultation in the Netherlands – and 98% of respondents opposed the ban. Unfortunately, the government decided to ignore our voices and push through with the flavour ban. 

Originally the law was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2022, but due to push back from vapers and technical issues in the original legislative it got delayed till end of this year. 

Now, the Ministry  of Health announced another consultation that will run until the end of September.

This consultation aims to gather feedback on the regulatory proposal that would further restrict flavoured vaping products. For too long, lawmakers have ignored vapers’ opinions, meaning the most influential voices – those of the consumer – and their lived experiences were missing. Now Dutch citizens have the opportunity to raise their voices again and make an impact. We need to take this chance, even though the politicians should have listened in the first place! 

Participate in the consultation process and make your voice heard. Let’s do everything we can to save flavours and show the government we won’t give up. 

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE 

FLAVOURS MATTER 

Flavours play a vital role for smokers who want to quit. Adult consumers who have used vaping to quit smoking say that flavours, other than tobacco, were a decisive factor in preventing them from returning to smoking. By using flavoured e-liquids, they are 230 per cent more likely to quit smoking than tobacco-flavoured ones. For more information about the importance of flavours, check out WVA’s Flavours Matter Campaign.

TIME TO ACT

Parallel to the discussion in March 2022, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) gathered in The Hague to call policymakers to stand against the bans on vape flavours. The WVA displayed an art installation in front of the Dutch Parliament with a simple message “flavours help smokers quit”. Shortly after the demonstration and Esigbond investigation, a postponement of the Dutch vape flavour ban was announced in the Netherlands. 

Throughout the years 2021 and 2022, WVA sent dozens of letters to Dutch Politicians and decision-makers to inform them about the detrimental effects of the possible flavour ban in the country. 

Now it’s time to take action again and make them listen to us… Raise your voice to back vaping, participate in consultation and tell your story.