Reducing Cancer Risk and Unnecessary Deaths: European Health Ministers Urged to Adopt Science-Based Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategies
European health ministers gathered in Brussels for a two-day meeting, with consumer representatives and proponents urging them to adopt science-based tobacco harm reduction strategies. The meeting covered a range of topics, including Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, which aims to address cancer risk factors such as reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption and promoting healthy diets.
The Director of the World Vapers Alliance, Michael Landl, highlighted Sweden as an example of how adopting safer and less harmful tobacco alternatives can lead to a smoke-free future. He emphasized the importance of the EU following Sweden’s lead and implementing sensible regulations regarding tobacco harm reduction. Landl criticized the EU Commission for disregarding the science behind tobacco policies despite evidence showing 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.
