14 December 2023 – The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) today issued vehement criticism of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) now demanding to globally ban vaping flavours. This move by the WHO, which marks an escalation in its campaign against vaping products, has been met with severe backlash from harm reduction and public health advocates.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, expressed his strong disapproval:

“The WHO’s latest stance on vaping flavours is not just misguided, it’s dangerously out of touch with scientific reality. By pushing for a blanket ban, the WHO blatantly disregards a wealth of scientific evidence that underscores the benefits of vaping when compared to alternatives. Flavoured e-cigarettes have been proven to increase the chances of successful smoking cessation by 230% compared to non-flavored alternatives. It’s appalling to see such a pivotal public health tool being dismissed by an organisation that should be at the forefront of harm reduction.”

The WVA highlights that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and more effective in aiding smoking cessation than traditional methods like gum and patches. The organisation emphasises that restricting or banning access to vaping flavours will not only undermine public health efforts, but also lead to unnecessary loss of lives.

Landl further criticises the WHO’s approach:

“The WHO’s proposal is a blatant neglect of its duty to protect public health. It’s a disservice to millions of smokers and vapers who have successfully quit smoking through flavoured e-cigarettes. This ban is a regressive move that will inevitably drive people back to smoking, causing more harm and loss of life. It’s time for the WHO to start basing its decisions on science and real-world evidence rather than perpetuating unfounded fears and moral panic,” concluded Landl.

The WVA urges global health policymakers to reject the WHO’s recommendation and adopt a more evidence-based, balanced approach to vaping regulation. The organisation calls for policies that respect the rights and choices of adult smokers while effectively addressing the issue of youth vaping without resorting to measures that would reverse the gains made in smoking cessation.