Here we publish the letter we sent to the Dutch Health Minister Mr Blokhuis and to the Parliament yesterday, to protest against the proposed ban on e-liquid flavours. The letter is signed on behalf of ETHRA and Acvoda by Sander Aspers, Acvoda’s Chair and is also signed by ETHRA’s scientific partners.
You can read about the Dutch proposals in the government press release here. The reasoning behind the flavour ban? It is the same baseless assumption that has been made in other countries, that the sole purpose of flavouring in e-liquid is to attract youth. Yet again there was no regard given to the devastating impacts such a preposterous decision would have on adult ex-smokers who rely on flavoured e-liquid in e-cigarettes to remain smoke free, or the impacts such a move would have on future cessation efforts, given that vaping is the most popular and effective method of smoking cessation available.
Press Release - Friday, 26 June 2020
SOVAPE publish the first comprehensive document in France on vaping and smoking cessation during pregnancy
Smoking and pregnancy: should we really discourage vaping, at the risk of smoking?
In France more than half of pregnant women are unsuccessful in quitting smoking during their pregnancy. Faced with this major public health issue, SOVAPE have reviewed studies and scientific advice on the use of vaping as a tool to help quit smoking.
Read more: Smoking and pregnancy: should we really discourage vaping, at the risk of smoking?
ETHRA is delighted to publish this English translation of an article by Frank Baeyens, professor of psychology at the KU Leuven in Belgium and ETHRA scientific partner. This translation is for the French version, published in DH:
"Le gouvernement belge fait une grosse erreur en considérant que la cigarette électronique est aussi nocive que la cigarette classique"
A shorter Flemish version was published in HLN (paywalled): “KU Leuven-professor over anti-tabaksdag: "Cordon sanitair rond nicotine helpt volksgezondheid niet vooruit. Overheid moet e-sigaret actief promoten”
It has been reported that Germany’s federal drug commissioner is hoping to use her country’s imminent EU Presidency to further obstruct vaping products all over Europe.
Die Welt writes that Daniela Ludwig has identified an opportunity to transfer her distaste for reduced risk products to a wider audience as Germany takes up its six-month Presidency for the second half of 2020.
Read more: Germany must use its EU Presidency to act wisely on e-cigarettes
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- Dr Lund corrects the misinformation in Dagens Næringsliv’s recent vaping article
- WHO leadership pushes back against science in defence of Indian tobacco interests and Bloomberg’s electoral agenda
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- Finland’s extreme anti-nicotine policy is wrong and should be rejected by the EU
- Research published today shows alarming perceptions of risk among French adults
- Dutch government urged to consult with consumers before pursuing dangerous legislation
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- Irish vapers should resist suggestions of a flavour ban
- Europe-wide consumer organisation launches to promote safer nicotine use