The Alliance strongly believes that the recently released report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirms their adversarial stance against harm reduction and the positive impact of vaping. According to Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, the overall direction of the report is perplexing. Instead of prioritizing the crucial goal of reducing smoking rates, the WHO is focusing its attention on vaping, which happens to be the most potent tool available for smoking cessation.
In the foreword of the report, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, asserts that vaping undermines anti-smoking efforts and claims that “E-cigarettes are harmful to both the people using them and those around them.” However, Landl argues that the WHO seems to ignore reality and scientific evidence. Countries that adopt an open and consumer-friendly approach to harm reduction products have achieved significantly better results than those following the WHO’s misguided path. Comparative data from Sweden and the United Kingdom clearly demonstrate their remarkable success in reducing smoking rates, surpassing countries with a negative harm reduction approach by a wide margin.
The report does raise concerns about a perceived gateway effect from vaping to smoking and claims that vaping flavors target children. It also highlights that 121 countries have adopted vaping regulations, with 34 completely banning vape sales. Landl vehemently disagrees with the report’s theories, considering them outdated and debunked. He argues that the notion of a gateway effect from vaping to smoking lacks evidence and asserts that flavors play a crucial role in helping millions of smokers transition to vaping. Additionally, he finds it absurd to celebrate countries that ban a significantly less harmful alternative for smokers.
Landl expresses his worry about the WHO’s lack of empathy for smokers and vapers and their outright denial of scientific findings, which could have severe consequences for many lives. He believes that the WHO has lost sight of its ultimate goal – reducing smoking rates. While it is agreed that teenagers should not smoke or vape, the report notes that only 45% of countries ban e-cigarette sales to minors, and 10% of countries impose no age restrictions on cigarette purchases. Landl questions why the WHO is not addressing these real-life challenges. He argues that the WHO systematically disregards an abundance of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of vaping, not to mention the experiences of millions of vapers. Furthermore, Landl emphasizes that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and a more effective method to quit smoking compared to traditional products like gum and patches. He firmly believes that restricting or banning access to vaping will only lead to unnecessary loss of lives.
