EU health chief slammed over ‘dangerous’ vaping claim

The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) has hit out at EU health commissioner Olivér Várhelyi after he claimed that vaping, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco are “100 percent” as harmful as cigarettes.

In an interview with Euractiv, Várhelyi made the comments despite what the WVA says is a substantial body of evidence showing smoke-free nicotine products are significantly less harmful than smoking. The consumer advocacy group warned that such claims risk discouraging smokers from switching away from cigarettes.

Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers Alliance, said the remarks were not only inaccurate but potentially harmful to public health.

“By telling people that vaping and nicotine pouches are as harmful as cigarettes, the commissioner is effectively running a marketing campaign for smoking,” Landl said. “Smokers who might have switched will stay with cigarettes, and more people will die. This is the opposite of what a health commissioner should do.”

The WVA pointed to independent studies and reviews commissioned by governments and public health bodies around the world, which consistently conclude that vaping, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products pose a far lower risk than combustible cigarettes. The evidence also suggests these alternatives can help smokers quit, with those who switch completely significantly reducing their risk of smoking-related disease.

According to the alliance, Várhelyi’s comments “erase” this evidence and risk misleading the public about relative harms at a time when the EU is struggling to meet its own smoking reduction targets.

The European Union has set an ambition to achieve a “smoke-free generation” by 2040, defined as smoking prevalence of less than 5 per cent. However, the latest Eurobarometer survey suggests the bloc is far off track, with current trends indicating the target may not be reached until around 2100.

Experts and consumer groups have repeatedly argued that the EU’s reluctance to fully embrace harm reduction and less harmful nicotine alternatives is a major factor behind the slow pace of progress.

The World Vapers Alliance has called on Várhelyi to publicly correct his statements, engage with independent scientists and consumer representatives, and commit to evidence-based communication on nicotine.

“The EU cannot credibly fight smoking while its own health commissioner spreads misinformation that keeps smokers on the most dangerous product of all – cigarettes,” the WVA said.