TAKING THE LEAD
UKVIA Director General John Dunne advises the UK parliament ahead of an upcoming international summit .
Words : Jordan Millar
UK officials have called on UKVIA Director General John Dunne to share his expertise ahead of an international summit discussing vaping and tobacco harm reduction . The UK parliamentary vaping group will use Dunne ’ s testimony as guidance during a World Health Organization ( WHO ) consultation later this year . The meeting will have a significant impact on the future of the global industry , with advocates hoping the UK ’ s liberal approach to vaping will be reflected by international policymakers . During a COVID-safe evidence session with MPs , Dunne said : “ The UK has a huge duty of care to take a positive stance and challenge interpretations … Britain ’ s newly independent status really gives us an opportunity to lead this on the world stage .” The government-led vaping group , directed by Mark Pawsey MP , plans to defend the country ’ s current policies and is keen to advertise the successes of the UK ’ s progressive attitude . Dunne – along with Clive Bates of The counterfactual and other expert witnesses – emphasised the value of e-cigarettes and vaping products as harm reduction tools , highlighting the potential benefit they could provide to public health . Also present at the session were Professor Gerry Stimson of Knowledge-Action-Change ( KAC ) and Adam Smith Institute Head of Programmes , Daniel Pryor . Following the session , Dunne said : “ I was happy to accept the invitation , because the UKVIA believe we have an incredible opportunity to spread the word – that innovative , appropriatelyregulated vaping industries save lives . “ Post-Brexit Britain is newly independent , which means we can drive this positive message home like never before . “ We can be rightly proud of the UK ’ s record on harm reduction , but we must not be complacent . Regressive , prohibition-style strategies are alive and well internationally , and we must not let them undo all that has been achieved here .” He stressed the need for UK lawmakers to maintain a ‘ robust , evidence-based ’ mindset , highlighting the need for us to “ defend the gains we have made domestically , empower positive change internationally and confirm Britain ’ s role as a world leader in harm reduction .”
“ Regressive , prohibition-style strategies are alive and well internationally , and we must not let them undo all that has been achieved here .”
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