In Portugal, smoking is responsible for over 13,000 deaths each year. The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) and its partners in Portugal, the Associação Portuguesa de Vaporizadores (APORVAP) and Ohms do Vapor, have jointly proposed a seven-step plan. It includes the following recommendations:
Portugal makes clear commitment to reducing the harm of tobacco. Promotes electronic cigarettes as a quitting tool. Excludes e-cigarettes from smoke-free area restrictions. Avoids imposing higher taxes on e-cigarette products and aims to reduce excessive taxes on e-liquid as soon as possible. Rejects flavor bans and does not limit the choice of nicotine content in e-liquids. Provides e-cigarettes for adults, while implementing age restrictions to prevent use by minors. Promotes reduced harm from tobacco in EU institutions and legislation.
Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers' Alliance, is urging Portugal to become a leader in reducing the harm caused by tobacco. With over 13,000 deaths annually linked to smoking in Portugal, there are several effective methods to aid smokers in quitting, with e-cigarettes having been proven the most successful tool to date. Landl is encouraging the development of a modern, open regulatory framework to support these alternatives, successfully lowering cancer rates. The WVA has provided the government with seven comprehensive steps to successfully combat tobacco-related cancer alongside its ENLCC strategy. By implementing e-cigarette regulations friendly to consumers, Portugal could become a global leader in reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
Portugal has the highest electronic liquid consumption tax in Europe. However, the president of APORVAP, Cristiano Batista, emphasized that the current situation is the opposite. "Today, Portugal levies the highest consumption tax on electronic cigarette oil in Europe, with 3.23 euros per 10 milliliters of oil. The government plans to raise this tax rate in 2023. Such tax regulations hinder consumers from purchasing electronic cigarette oil and hence switching to safer alternatives than traditional smoking. Portugal needs a modern, risk-based tax regulation to ease the burden on consumers and support the country's public health goals.
A spokesperson for Ohms do Vapor has called for nationwide education initiatives about electronic cigarettes. They claim that the media, policy-makers, and health professionals are misinformed about e-cigarettes. Ohms do Vapor provides reliable information about tobacco alternatives to the public, but they believe that more needs to be done. To achieve their goals, the government must conduct nationwide educational programs about the benefits of reducing the harms of tobacco in Portugal. The 7-step plan developed by the World Vapers' Alliance supports the need for public awareness, which the government should consider.
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