This substantial decrease signifies the necessity for a balanced approach in the ongoing discussions about vaping. While it remains essential to prevent youth vaping, this data underscores the need to shift focus from undue alarmism to practical, evidence-based solutions.
Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), commented on the findings: “The data from the CDC demonstrates that the exaggerated panic about teen vaping needs to stop. We must continue our efforts to discourage youth from vaping, but it’s crucial to ensure that our strategies don’t deprive adult smokers of a potentially life-saving alternative.
“The call now is for policymakers to develop strategies rooted in research and facts. Instead of succumbing to a moral panic, it’s necessary to address the dual challenge: keeping vaping products out of the hands of the youth while ensuring that adults have access to safer nicotine alternatives.”
According to the World Vapers' Alliance, the U.S. must shift its focus towards a comprehensive harm reduction strategy, prioritizing scientific evidence and the broader public health goal. Continuing to battle against vaping may not only be counterproductive but also could overshadow its potential benefits for adult smokers. The WVA urges a more balanced approach, highlighting the need for targeted solutions to youth vaping while acknowledging the broader benefits of vaping for adult smokers.
The World Vapers’ Alliance says it, “amplifies the voices of vapers worldwide and empowers them to make a difference in their communities. Our members are vapers associations and individual vapers from all over the world.”
Michael Landl is the director of the World Vapers’ Alliance. He is from Austria and is based in Vienna. He is an experienced policy professional and a passionate vaper. He studied at the University of St. Gallen and worked for several public policy outlets and the German Parliament.
References:
- World Vapers’ Alliance - www.worldvapersalliance.com
Photo Credit:
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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