EU Flavour Ban Reaction
The European Union’s Health Ministers' flavour ban support threatens public health, according to the World Vapers' Alliance
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by Dave Cross
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At EPSCO (The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council), some EU Health Ministers made alarming statements in support of a flavour ban on safer nicotine products such as vaping and nicotine pouches, according to the World Vapers' Alliance. The potential policy would undermine public health and disregard the voices of over 54,000 citizens who have signed a petition against it, the organisation adds.
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council is a body of the Council of the European Union. It meets four times a year, with two of the meetings focusing on social policy and employment.
“By supporting a flavour ban, EU Health Ministers would push millions of adults back to smoking or into the black market, endangering lives and ignoring scientific evidence. A flavour ban would be a huge step backwards for public health and harm reduction,” said Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers' Alliance.
The World Vapers' Alliance says: “Scientific research consistently shows that flavours play a crucial role in helping smokers quit. The endorsement of the flavour ban ignores those findings and the clear will of the people, opting instead for a policy that will cause more harm than good. The World Vapers' Alliance will continue fighting for reasonable, evidence-based policies that truly protect public health.”
The organisation says that vapers across Europe raised the alarm before the EPSCO Council meeting.
This move by the health ministers bypasses democratic processes and disregards the voices of 54,000 citizens who signed the World Vapers’ Alliance’s petition against such a ban, it added.
“Every year, 700,000 lives are needlessly lost in the EU due to smoking-related diseases. By recklessly pushing for a flavour ban on safer nicotine alternatives, they are playing with lives and ignoring the clear will of the people. It's time to stop this madness and listen to science and the citizens they serve,” Michael Landl continued.
The World Vapers’ Alliance went on to state: “The European Commission has yet to consult the public on a new Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). This delay has left a void that Ministers aim to exploit, sidelining the necessary scientific evaluation, public consultation, and parliamentary scrutiny.
“Record numbers of submissions marked the European Commission’s initial Consultation, primarily from citizens supporting safer nicotine products.
“Flavours play a significant role in helping adult smokers transition away from cigarettes and maintain abstinence from smoking. Ignoring this fact endangers public health and disregards the overwhelming support from European citizens who have voiced their opposition to a flavour ban.
“The WVA calls in an open letter on EU Health Ministers to reject the flavour ban proposal and instead focus on policies that are informed by science and reflect the will of the people. As the next iteration of the Tobacco Products Directive is considered, it is imperative that EU policymakers recognise the importance of alternative products in reducing smoking rates and protecting public health.”
Landl concluded: “This isn’t just about regulation, it’s about lives. We must prioritise harm reduction and listen to the voices of the people,”
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 vape companies to develop content for their websites.
