FEATURES
EURO MPS DON ’ T KNOW VAPING
Shocking lack of vape knowledge amongst some European politicians exposed in new study .
Words : Jordan Millar
A ground-breaking new survey has revealed that a high proportion of euro MPs have “ no knowledge ” about vaping and other new nicotine products .
The MEPs , from all member states and political parties , were contacted about the survey , but only five percent replied .
The independent study - conducted by ECigIntelligence , alongside its sister company TobaccoIntelligence - uncovered the attitudes of the euro MPs towards e-cigarettes and other nicotinecontaining products .
It comes ahead of MEPs finalising the European Commission ’ s Beating Cancer Plan , which was criticised earlier this year for ‘ allowing ideology to get in the way of science .’
Michael Landl , Director of the World Vapers ’ Alliance ( WVA ) said : “ The parliament is yet to publish their version and we call on all MEPs to take heed of the failures in the Commission ’ s plan . “ We hope that they will treat vaping correctly and embrace it as the cessation tool that it is … we do not need another healthcare catastrophe …” Despite the best efforts of advocacy groups like the WVA and the UKVIA , a large number of policymakers are still misinformed about the benefits of vaping .
Although the survey found that a majority of MEPs believed new nicotine products were likely to help existing smokers quit , it also highlighted a number of alarming findings including :
· A high proportion of MEPs have no knowledge about new nicotine products .
· MEPs predominantly think that vaping is safer than smoking , but up to one in five thinks that some new nicotine products can be as risky as smoking .
· MEPs without knowledge of the products often think that nicotine pouches are safer than smoking but tend to believe vaping is at least equally dangerous .
While a disappointing number of politicians responded to the study and those without knowledge of vaping displayed concerning views on its harm reduction benefits , it ’ s not all doom and gloom .
The data also showed some positive trends amongst MEPs who had a deeper understanding of the industry , hinting at a brighter future for vaping in Europe ’ s revised ‘ Beating Cancer Plan .’
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