NEWS
NEWS
FIGHTING BACK
DANNY WANG OF THE TAIWAN VAPE ASSOCIATION TELLS US HOW TO RESIST ANTI-VAPING ACTION
In our last issue , we published Trouble in Asia , an article bringing you up to speed on the implications of Taiwan ’ s pharmaceutical affairs law and the existential threat it poses to the domestic vape industry . The only major body resisting this change is the Taiwan Vape Association ( TVA ), which has been vocally campaigning against it in the hope of reaching a compromise with the government and buying the domestic scene more time to prepare for future attacks . Unwelcome change can often come incrementally , in so many stages few notice until it may be too late . Taiwan ’ s ruling creeps the country toward what could be a killing blow – a sabotage potent enough to end the business without explicitly describing this as its mission . Danny Wang is the founder and current general secretary of the TVA . He doesn ’ t mince his words when describing the situation . “ In Taiwan , we are looking at a total ban on vaping ,” he says . Those still working to prevent this have one remaining lifeline : compiling and presenting evidence to the country ’ s lawmakers . According to Danny , nearly everything presented so far has been biased against vaping and provided almost exclusively by antivaping groups . “ We have to present the other side , ensure the lawmakers see the full range of studies and reports before making their final decision .” The TVA have their work cut out for them , but the scope of this challenge hasn ’ t slowed them . Danny tells us that in addition to mobilising small and large business owners , the association has campaigned through giving talks , organising press conferences , handing out leaflets with the appropriate scientific literature and most importantly , translating the evidence into Mandarin . Solidarity and support have become integral traits for those in the international vape trade , an entity often attacked from all sides by everything from
BY LEO FORFAR
Taiwan Vape Association
EST 2 015 inaccurate reporting to misguided regulation . The situation in Taiwan , like so many others , is a cautionary example attracting some worried glances from overseas . Breaking the language barrier goes a long way in helping . Danny says , “ We trade and compile information with our allies , many of which are in countries facing a similar situation . These are organisations like the Hong Kong Vape Association . We also liaise with places like Malaysia and Shenzhen .” We asked Danny how other allies and business owners could best lend support , besides the obvious channels of donating to causes and signing petitions . He says , “ The best way to help us is to improve your home vape scene to set a good example ; an example we can provide as evidence that vaping works and is safe .” But , providing and presenting evidence won ’ t be the end of the struggle . The most significant obstacle will be breaking through the mythology built around vaping once the debate begins . Danny tells us that the gateway theory – the idea that e-cigarettes encourage combustible smoking – is very popular in Taiwan . “ Not even the government ’ s own research supports such a thing . We don ’ t see it in any other country either . It ’ s based on recycled rumours and badly researched news stories . Compromise is achievable . There ’ s a possibility we ’ ll end up like Japan – with a heavily restricted nicotine market . Ideally , we want to keep both nicotine and non-nicotine liquids ; it ’ s more likely we ’ ll get to keep the latter . But the ‘ anti ’ crowd isn ’ t budging . They want a total ban . There ’ s also no chance for CBD or TNC-containing products here .” Losing nicotine is very far from an ideal state for Taiwanese e-cigarettes , undercutting their primary purpose of smoking cessation . However , it would buy the trade more time and more wiggle-room to continue negotiating . A weakened vape trade is better than none and the fight is far from over .
VM16 | 33