The World Vape Alliance (WVA) is calling on the German government to change its tobacco policy to tackle high smoking rates. The WVA points out that smoking rates in Germany are close to 30%, much higher than Sweden’s 5%. The alliance recommends recognizing the potential of less harmful alternatives such as Vapes, drawing on the UK’s “Quit Smoking” program, and implementing scientific conclusions.
The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) on February 6 called on the German government to change its tobacco policy to combat the country’s high smoking rate. The WVA noted that Germany currently has a smoking rate of nearly 30 percent, one of the highest among European countries, while Sweden has a smoking rate of just 5 percent.
According to the German Association for the Study of Respiratory Diseases (DEBRA), about 500,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Germany each year, with smoking considered to be one of the main causes. As early as 2019, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) pointed out that traditional cigarettes are extremely harmful to health, while alternatives such as Vapes are relatively less harmful and help to quit smoking.
The World Vape Alliance (WVA) has pointed out that Germany needs to take more aggressive measures to reduce smoking rates, with specific recommendations including:
- Recognizing the potential of new alternatives: Incorporating products such as Vapes, nicotine packs, and heat without burn into tobacco prevention programs as less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
- Strengthen smoking cessation support: Learn from the UK’s “Swap to Stop” program to provide alternatives such as Vapes to heavy smokers.
- Implement the scientific conclusions: Research by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) shows that Vapes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and help to quit smoking.
Michael Landl, head of the WVA, said Germany should learn from Sweden’s success and use policy guidance and science to cut smoking rates in half within a decade. He stressed that the German government should stop discussing proposals to ban Vape flavors and instead increase the accessibility of alternatives to achieve tobacco control goals.
While the WVA’s recommendations aim to reduce smoking rates, the safety and effectiveness of alternatives such as Vapes remain controversial.
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