Vapers body asks politicians to embrace harm reduction in new campaign

World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has launched the #BackVapingBeatSmoking campaign, urging politicians to embrace harm reduction and vaping.

The vaping advocacy group kicked off the campaign by delivering the message that vaping can save 19 million lives in Europe to the European Parliament.

Representatives of the WVA met with several Members of the European Parliament to present their ‘Vaping Products Directive’ to show how vaping needs to be treated to fulfill its full potential for public health. Additionally, the WVA unveiled a protest art installation in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The campaign launches as the EU-wide tobacco legislation, Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), is being reviewed by European legislators. The WVA has participated in the EU Commission’s public call for evidence to speak out against flavour bans and excessive regulation.

“By backing vaping we can beat smoking and save 19 million lives with sensible regulation,” Michael Landl, director of the WVA, said.

“The EU call for evidence has seen a record number of 24,000 responses, showing that consumers want to embrace tobacco harm reduction, and it happens that vaping has been proven one of the most successful so far. The EU needs to put an end to current discussions about flavour bans and vaping must be kept affordable and accessible. It is time for the EU to fully endorse tobacco harm reduction and to make vaping a centre piece of it.”

The campaign was launched on Wednesday in Strasbourg, France with a Don’t Let 19 Million Lives Fall protest art installation and will spread to ten cities in six countries during October – November.

“We will host community events and protests in France, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Belgium to draw attention to one of the most crucial pieces of legislation for the future of vaping. It is time for politicians to listen to consumers and science,” said Landl.

WVA has also launched a petition against harmful vaping regulation such as flavour bans, or high taxation on vaping products. The signatures will be delivered to Members of the European Parliament at the end of the tour in November.