FEATURE
MUST DO BETTER
Concern from vape activists as back-to-back surveys show many Euro MPs know worryingly little about reduced risk products .
Words : Patrick Griffin
When it comes to the key decisions that our politicians make on our behalf , few can be more important than public health policy .
This is especially so when it comes to helping smokers quit and deciding whether to allow ( or deny ) them access to life-saving modern alternatives such as vaping .
So , it is no surprise that one of Europe ’ s best known vaping advocates finds it ‘ deeply concerning ’ that many European politicians have ‘ little or no knowledge ’ of any type of new nicotine product .
Michael Landl , director of the World Vapers ’ Alliance , says that MEPs should know more about matters they want to regulate , especially where their decisions can have life or death consequences for millions .
He was speaking after two annual ECigIntelligence surveys showed that many MEPs were misinformed or uninformed about vaping and other less harmful alternatives to smoking .
Landl said : “ It is deeply concerning that those making decisions about the future of vaping are doing so without accurate information . “ Policy decisions should be rational and based on science instead of vague perceptions .
“ It has been proven repeatedly that vaping is less harmful than smoking and therefore public health policies must include it .
“ We urge all politicians to listen to science and those who are hit the hardest by bad anti-vaping regulation - the consumers . Policy making must be evidence-based .”
The lack of political knowledge on the subject promoted the WVA to join forces with the US-based Consumer Choice Center advocacy group to put together a briefing document on modern alternatives to smoking .
The briefing paper , ‘ Nicotine is not Your Enemy ’, gives six reasons why the focus should be on stopping people smoking rather than stopping them using nicotine .
Landl added : “ Due to innovation , nicotine consumption can finally be decoupled from the hazardous effects of smoking and therefore help millions of smokers to improve their health .
“ And yet , vaping and nicotine consumption in general are unjustifiably demonised . This must end .”
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