The European Commission's Push For A Complete Ban On The Sale Of E-cigarettes And Nicotine Pouches Has Sparked Strong Opposition From The Industry.

According to a leaked internal document from the European Commission released by the World E-cigarette Alliance on October 9th, the EU may push for a complete ban on e-cigarettes and nicotine pouch products at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to be held shortly. This document was submitted to the EU Public Health Working Group on October 7th as a draft of the EU's position for the COP11 meeting (to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from November 17th to 22nd).
In item 4.5 of the agenda, the European Commission explicitly stated: "Reaffirming support for strict regulation of e-cigarettes (ENDS/ENNDS) and nicotine pouches, which may include a complete ban, to particularly protect children and adolescents." This statement implies that the EU level has reserved policy space for a complete ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
The head of the World Vapers' Alliance, Michael Landl, strongly criticized the draft: "This proposal is a deliberate denial of facts, replacing science with ideology, and trampling on the rights of smokers to seek lower-hazard alternatives. A complete ban will destroy Europe's years of progress in harm reduction." He called on EU member states to firmly oppose this position, stating that if it is passed, it will "leave millions of adults trying to quit smoking without low-hazard options, leading to unnecessary harm and death."
Critics pointed out that Article 1(d) of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control clearly states: "Tobacco control should include three strategies: demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction." The EU Commission's draft is accused of ignoring the "harm reduction" principle and being contrary to the spirit of the convention.
The World Vapers' Alliance called on EU member states to uphold scientific and public health achievements: "Harm reduction is the only responsible public health path. Europe should not deviate from evidence and progress."