Vapouround Magazine Issue 32 | Page 19

“ It is vital that the UK now take advantage of the legislative and regulatory independence afforded by Brexit , to safeguard this country ’ s proportionate , evidence-based approach to vaping .” While supporters of the controversial plan claim it ’ s an ambitious step towards beating cancer , tobacco harm reduction groups have dubbed it a failure to smokers .
Commenting on the launch , Director of the World Vapers ’ Alliance ( WVA ) Michael Landl , said : “ This plan shows that the European Commission is allowing ideology to get in the way of science .
“ Smoking and vaping are not the same and the Commission knows this . However , they are neglecting their duty to pursue policies in the best interests of all EU citizens .”
Landl stressed that , by treating the risks of smoking and vaping as equal , policymakers were preventing thousands of people from switching to a safer alternative .
The European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates ( ETHRA ) – who represent millions of vapers across Europe – have written to MEPs to express their anger and frustration at the proposed changes .
ETHRA said : “ The Plan fails to recognise the interaction between smoking and vaping and is naïve about the perverse consequence of the regulatory interventions proposed .
“ As ex-smokers , we are painfully aware how difficult it can be to quit smoking , and many of us could only quit using safer nicotine products after other methods had failed us . “ If these Cancer Plan proposals were already in force , there is no doubt that many of us would still be smoking today .” They continued : “ We are losing confidence in the European Commission as an objective and evidence-based institution .
“ It appears to be adopting simplistic and emotive talking-points rather than putting the health and welfare of Europeans first .” The commission presented its ‘ Beating Cancer ’ plan to the European Parliament on February 4 – World Cancer Day – in an exchange of opinions , wherein EU officials offered their own views and suggestions on the proposal .
“ Smoking and vaping are not the same and the Commission knows this . However , they are neglecting their duty to pursue policies in the best interests of all EU citizens .”
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