Consumer representatives and proponents are urging European policymakers to embrace science-based tobacco harm reduction strategies as EU health ministers convene in Brussels for a two-day meeting. The meeting will cover a variety of topics, including Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which includes legislative initiatives aimed at addressing cancer risk factors like reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption and promoting healthy diets.
Director of the World Vapers Alliance, Michael Landl, stated that this meeting should be a turning point in steering the EU towards a smoke-free future. He pointed to Sweden as an example, where efforts to adopt safer and less harmful tobacco alternatives have led the country to the brink of becoming the world’s first smoke-free nation. Landl emphasized the importance of the EU following Sweden’s lead and implementing sensible regulations regarding tobacco harm reduction.
Landl criticized the EU Commission for disregarding the science behind tobacco policies, despite evidence showing that safer nicotine alternatives like vaping or pouches are significantly less harmful than smoking and can assist in smoking cessation. He urged EU health ministers to seize the opportunity to advocate for regulations that could prevent 700,000 unnecessary deaths annually caused by smoking. The Beating Cancer Plan recognizes the role vaping can play in smoking cessation, and Landl stressed the need for politicians to act accordingly.