EU health ministers are meeting in Brussels for a two-day conference to discuss various topics, including Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The plan includes legislative initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption and promoting healthy diets. However, consumer representatives and proponents are urging policymakers to embrace science-based tobacco harm reduction strategies.
Director of the World Vapers Alliance, Michael Landl, believes that this meeting is an opportunity for the EU to steer towards a smoke-free future by adopting safer and less harmful tobacco alternatives like vaping or pouches. He pointed to Sweden as an example of how such efforts have led the country to the brink of becoming the world’s first smoke-free nation.
Landl emphasized the importance of implementing sensible regulations regarding tobacco harm reduction. He criticized the EU Commission for disregarding scientific evidence that shows that safer nicotine alternatives like vaping or pouches are significantly less harmful than smoking and can assist in smoking cessation. He urged EU health ministers to seize this opportunity to advocate for regulations that could prevent 700,000 unnecessary deaths annually caused by smoking. The Beating Cancer Plan recognizes the role vaping can play in smoking cessation, and Landl stressed the need for politicians to act accordingly.
Overall, Landl believes that adopting science-based tobacco harm reduction strategies is crucial for public health in Europe. He hopes that policymakers will take action at this meeting to promote a smoke-free future for all citizens.
