The World Vapers’ Alliance is warning that billionaire Michael Bloomberg has committed $420 million to increase smoking rates through Bloomberg Philanthropies. Bloomberg’s organisation made the announcement last week and will focus on traditional anti-smoking policies, such as extending warning labels and smoke-free zones and support various anti-vaping policies, such as flavour bans.

"Due to the previous hostility against harm reduction products from Bloomberg Philanthropies and organisations funded by the organisation, consumers expect further anti-science misinformation campaigns about harm reduction,” says the World Vapers’ Alliance.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, commented: “The reality is that Bloomberg Philanthropies systematically ignore the wealth of scientific evidence pointing to the benefits of vaping, not to mention the first-hand experience of millions of vapers.

"Vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and a more effective method to quit smoking than traditional therapies such as gum and patches. Restricting or banning access to vaping will do nothing but cost lives.

“This announcement shows Michael Bloomberg is doubling down on his ideologically driven fight against harm-reduction and vaping in particular – ignoring all accompanying negative consequences of his policies.”

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