Consumers condemn WHO’s proposed ban on flavoured vapes
December 16, 2023
Members of World Vapers’ Alliance hold the missing puzzle piece on the mural that says “Flavours help smokers quit” (Photo: WVA)
Consumer body World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has vehemently criticised the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) demand for a ban on vaping flavours.
“The WHO’s latest stance on vaping flavours is not just misguided, it’s dangerously out of touch with scientific reality,” Michael Landl, WVA director, said.
“By pushing for a blanket ban, the WHO blatantly disregards a wealth of scientific evidence that underscores the benefits of vaping when compared to alternatives. Flavoured e-cigarettes have been proven to increase the chances of successful smoking cessation by 230 per cent compared to non-flavored alternatives. It’s appalling to see such a pivotal public health tool being dismissed by an organisation that should be at the forefront of harm reduction.”
The WHO has on Thursday urged governments to treat e-cigarettes similarly to tobacco and ban all flavours.
The WVA highlighted that vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than smoking and more effective in aiding smoking cessation than traditional methods like gum and patches. The organisation emphasised that restricting or banning access to vaping flavours will not only undermine public health efforts, but also lead to unnecessary loss of lives.
“The WHO’s proposal is a blatant neglect of its duty to protect public health. It’s a disservice to millions of smokers and vapers who have successfully quit smoking through flavoured e-cigarettes,” Landl added.
“This ban is a regressive move that will inevitably drive people back to smoking, causing more harm and loss of life. It’s time for the WHO to start basing its decisions on science and real-world evidence rather than perpetuating unfounded fears and moral panic.”
The WVA urged global health policymakers to reject the WHO’s recommendation and adopt a more evidence-based, balanced approach to vaping regulation. The organisation called for policies that respect the rights and choices of adult smokers while effectively addressing the issue of youth vaping without resorting to measures that would reverse the gains made in smoking cessation.
