
On December 5th, the European Commission (EC) announced its "Global Health Strategy" which aims to prioritize tackling the root causes of poor health. However, the strategy failed to address the issue of smoking through means of reducing tobacco harm.
The director of the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA), Michael Landl, has emphasized that the European Union (EU) has disregarded the science behind electronic cigarettes.
He stated: "The European Commission has once again ignored the voices of science and consumers. Reducing tobacco harm must be a key element of all EU health policies. 700,000 people die each year from smoking, while the Commission fights against less harmful alternatives. Science is clear that the harm of electronic cigarettes is much lower than smoking and they are one of the most effective smoking cessation aids. Consumers are demanding that the Commission finally accept this reality.
Meanwhile, in light of potential backlash against European Union efforts to reduce smoking rates, the EU has leaked a draft plan to increase taxes on electronic cigarette products, causing concern among the public. Experts in tobacco harm reduction and consumer groups have emphasized that such a tax would not only have adverse effects on public health, but could also create a large-scale new black market for electronic cigarette products.
The committee claims that increasing taxes will improve public health, but the facts say the opposite. Ordinary smokers trying to quit must be able to afford a less harmful substitute such as e-cigarettes. If the committee wants to mitigate the burden of smoking on public health, they must make e-cigarettes more affordable and accessible, not less," said Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA).
2FIRSTS will continue to cover this topic, with updates available on the '2FIRSTSAPP.' Scan the QR code below to download the app.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.










