Silent protest by vapers at global tobacco conference highlights consumer exclusion
June 24, 2025
The World Vapers’ Alliance staged a silent protest outside the venue of the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin on 23 June 2025, highlighting the exclusion of consumers from global tobacco and nicotine policy debates.
On the opening day of the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) in Dublin, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) held a silent protest outside the venue, drawing attention to the continued exclusion of consumers from global discussions on tobacco and nicotine policy.
Participants stood with their mouths taped shut on Monday, symbolising how those most impacted by regulatory decisions, consumers, are being silenced and sidelined in the policy-making process.
The protest is part of the ‘Voices Unheard—Consumers Matter!’ campaign, launched as delegates gathered inside to discuss the future of tobacco control without meaningful input from the consumers.
WVA said this exclusion is especially concerning with COP11 in Geneva approaching and the World Health Organisation (WHO) pushing for bans on flavoured nicotine products – a move that would deny adults safer alternatives.
Michael Landl, WVA director, warned that outdated, ideologically driven policies, often influenced by powerful interests like Michael Bloomberg, threaten to reverse progress in reducing smoking rates.
“Safer nicotine alternatives have the potential to save millions of lives, but only if they are supported by sensible, evidence-based regulation. We cannot afford to let ideology stand in the way of real progress,” Landl said.
The World Conference on Tobacco Control is taking place from 23–25 June 2025, organised by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Mike Bloomberg, a former mayor of New York City, has been known for his opposition to safer nicotine alternatives despite growing evidence of lower harm and efficacy for smoking cessation.
The campaign comes at a time when the WHO is pushing for sweeping bans on flavoured nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Such measures would remove vital tools from adults seeking to quit smoking and could drive many back to combustible tobacco.
Alberto Gómez Hernández, policy and advocacy manager for the WVA, stressed the importance of listening to consumers. “Instead of banning flavours and safer alternatives, we need policies that protect both youth and adult smokers who want to quit smoking,” he explained.
