Press Release
For Immediate Release
20 March 2024
Rishi Sunak’s Pivot: From Harm Reduction Champion to Leggard
London, UK — The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) expresses serious concerns about the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill today. The UK government is planning to ban smoking for future generations and also restrict vaping flavours.
Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, commented:
“The UK’s latest turnaround on vaping flavours is not just misguided, it’s dangerously out of touch with scientific reality. By pushing restrictions on flavours, the Sunak government blatantly disregards a wealth of scientific evidence that underscores the benefits of vaping when compared to alternatives. Flavoured e-cigarettes have been proven to increase the chances of successful smoking cessation by 230% compared to non-flavoured alternatives. It’s appalling to see such a pivotal public health tool being dismissed by the government that used to be at the forefront of harm reduction.”
The WVA highlights that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and more effective in aiding smoking cessation than traditional methods like gum and patches. The organisation emphasises that restricting or banning access to vaping flavours will not only undermine public health efforts but also lead to unnecessary loss of lives.
“By restricting access to flavours, a pivotal tool for many smokers transitioning to safer alternatives, the government is effectively closing off a proven pathway to quitting smoking”, added Landl.
The WVA urges the UK government to reconsider its stance, adopt a more evidence-based approach towards disposable vapes, and keep the current harm reduction strategy. The organisation calls for a focus on robust enforcement of existing age restrictions and a deeper understanding of the reasons behind vaping, particularly among teenagers.
