On May 20, the European Commission published its evaluation report on the application of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). While this publication would have been the perfect opportunity to provide useful information on vaping and smoking cessation, FIVAPE regrets that the European Commission has chosen to adopt without nuance the latest SCHEER opinion, whose arguments are hardly supported by scientific reality.
Both parties invoke the continued application of the precautionary principle, paving the way for a tightening of regulations governing vaping: tank size, labeling, use of flavors, use of nicotine-free liquids, and so on.
In particular, FIVAPE denounces several of the report's assertions, which have no scientific basis, and wishes to set the record straight:
1. No, nicotine isn't toxic: it's an ally in quitting smoking!
The European Commission states that "Electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, a toxic substance". The addictive nature of nicotine has been scientifically demonstrated. On the other hand, this is the first time that the toxicity of nicotine has been asserted in a report by the European Commission, without any scientific basis, and without mentioning nicotine's main benefit: its effectiveness in smoking cessation, eliminating combustion and all the highly carcinogenic substances in smoked tobacco. Ex-smokers are then free to gradually reduce their nicotine dosage to achieve total withdrawal. The real enemy of smokers is combustion, not nicotine!
2. No, flavors don't attract young people: they're the key to motivation!
The report is concerned about the popularity of vaping among young people, and believes that its appeal is largely due to flavors, particularly those reminiscent of sweets and fruit. He also relies on the SCHEER report to assert that these flavors "reduce their perception of the harmful nature of the product and increase their desire to try it" and "contribute significantly to the attractiveness of e-cigarettes and the onset of smoking". Once again, this peremptory assertion is not based on any scientific observation. Variety of flavors is a fundamental springboard for maintaining smokers' motivation to quit. A recent study published in JAMA of 100,000 Californian high-school students shows that the only district where smoking has increased among young people is San Francisco, which has banned flavors in vape.
3. Yes, vape is an effective withdrawal tool! But assimilating it to the constraints of pharmaceutical products would kill it...
Paradoxically, after repeatedly casting doubt on the benefits of vaping products in the fight against tobacco, the Commission suddenly considers that "Insofar as electronic cigarettes are smoking cessation aids, their regulation should follow the legislation on pharmaceutical products". In just a few lines, we go from doubting the efficacy and harmfulness of vaping, to asserting that it is indeed a smoking cessation aid! And while over 700,000 French people have quit smoking thanks to independent vaping, the report concludes that vape should become a pharmaceutical product. In whose interests?
4. No, vape is not in the hands of the tobacco industry: the independent sector accounts for 80% of the French market!
The European Commission paints a picture of a vape sector in the hands of the tobacco industry, but in France this is not the case. While it's true that the big tobacco groups communicate intensively about their investments in new tobacco products, 80% of the French vape industry is independent of big tobacco! It is made up of small and medium-sized companies, most often created by former smokers or those closely affected by the ravages of tobacco, who base their activity on the objective of reducing risks and helping as many people as possible to stop smoking. This is why FIVAPE is a natural partner for French healthcare professionals.
This report is just the first step, as intense lobbying is being conducted in Brussels to decide on taxation of vaping products, raise prices and discourage smokers from quitting. The European Commission seems to be officially committed to destroying an innovative, fast-growing industry that has been trying for over ten years to provide solutions to a common objective shared by the EU: reducing smoking prevalence in Europe.
FIVAPE urges members of the European Parliament and member states, particularly the French government, to get actively involved in this issue and choose the side of smoking cessation by courageously defending vaping and its independence!