Last Thursday, the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA) submitted more than 100,000 signatures to the European Parliament, calling on the EU to completely change its attitude towards e-cigarettes and harm reduction.
While the petition was being submitted, there were also protests in all 27 EU member states, including banners and symbolic drop boxes, highlighting the broad support this campaign has received from EU consumers.
The World Vapers' Alliance said that although Sweden has demonstrated the effectiveness of adopting tobacco harm reduction strategies, the EU is still considering measures such as banning flavors, restricting nicotine pouches, banning outdoor e-cigarette use, and increasing taxes on lower-risk products.
The organization added that these potential policies could undermine the progress made in reducing tobacco harm over the years and might lead millions of Europeans back to more harmful traditional cigarettes.
Michael Landl, director of the American Vaping Association, said, "The EU's misguided actions against e-cigarettes and harm reduction activities are creating a public health disaster. Banning flavors, restricting outdoor e-cigarette use, and increasing taxes will only drive people back to cigarettes. The EU must urgently shift its focus to evidence-based policies that can actually save lives and help consumers quit smoking completely. The voices of 100,000 consumers demanding this change cannot be ignored."
