FEATURE
E-U NEED TO START LISTENING !
A first-of-its-kind European study has reaffirmed the need for vaping and encouraged policymakers to steer away from ‘ abusive ’ measures .
Words : Jordan Millar
Less than one percent of European ex-smokers say the World Health Organization helped them kick the habit . And yet , the international health body continues to guide tobacco harm reduction policies around the globe .
Infamous for its antagonistic and largely ideological approach to vaping , the WHO has called for world governments to either ban , or heavily restrict , the lifesaving technology .
However , a comprehensive study of over 35,000 European nicotine users – the largest of its kind – has reaffirmed the need for vaping as a reduced risk alternative to smoking .
Of the near 28,000 ex-smokers who took part in the survey , more than 97 percent cited vaping as an effective quitting tool . Meanwhile , just 0.2 percent said that they were helped by stopsmoking information from the World Health Organization . The study , organised by the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates ( ETHRA ), also urged policymakers to stop limiting access to crucial vaping products .
It said : “ Taxes , flavour bans and state sales monopolies are barriers to smoking cessation . Member states and the EU must stop going in this extremely dangerous direction .” The survey called for policymakers to listen to European vapers , stressing that ‘ abusive regulatory measures ’ can often drive people to ‘ alternative ’ or illicit channels to buy their products .
It said : “ For several years , consumers of safer nicotine products have patiently and civically participated in public consultations … yet their views have been treated mainly with condescension . “ The large participation in the ETHRA survey appears to be an urgent demand from the concerned public to be listened to by European authorities .”
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Member states and the EU must stop going in this extremely dangerous direction .
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