Critics: "The Danes' new law could affect vejpers across the EU"
The Danish government wants to ban almost all flavors in e-cigarettes and e-liquids. This became clear after a decision in the Danish Parliament at the end of 2019. But first the law must pass the European Commission.
Now the organization ETHRA is calling on vejpers from across the EU to protest.
"70,000 Danish vejpers are at risk of starting to smoke again. The Danish government is going to ignore a large group of people without thinking about the consequences" writes ETHRA, the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Association in a press release.
As Vejpkollen previously reported all flavors except menthol and tobacco flavors will be removed from the Danish market. And according to the Danish government, the flavor ban will mainly to prevent young people from starting to use e-cigarettes.
But according to the Danish Road Transport Association, DADAFO and ETHRA, the bill is a weak instrument for changing the habits of Danish young people. At least to any great extent.
"Most young people who vejpar are either already smokers or former smokers. At best, it prevents 1200 young people from using e-cigarettes each year. As a consequence, 70,000 vejpers go back to smoking again," the organization writes.
Dogmatic approach to smoking cessation
At the same time, the ban risks driving 90 percent of all Danish vejp shops out of business, according to ETHRA. This means that many adult vejp users will lose a cornerstone of a successful method to quit smoking. What remains is an uncontrolled black market and the authorities' own recommendations for smoking cessation.
"Danish health authorities have a very dogmatic approach to smoking cessation. It's 'quit or die'. They only recommend nicotine medications or prescription drugs like Champix and Zyban. Harm-reducing alternatives like e-cigarettes are simply in the way," writes ETHRA.
Risk of black market for e-cigarettes
E-cigarette users who want to continue using varied flavors will have to shop abroad or turn to the black market, according to ETHRA.
"The proposal will force many Danish vejpers to break the law instead of starting to smoke again," the organization writes.
Call to write to the European Commission
In May, the EU will hold discussions on revising the TPD (Tobacco Products Directive), which governs EU countries' legislation on tobacco and related products. In connection with this, the Danish legislative proposal will also be on the agenda.
The question is whether the Danish ban on flavors can be reconciled with the overall directives. Although the EU does not currently address flavors in the TPD, it is enough for some countries to take the step for the directive to be amended in the future, according to ETHRA.
"Finland, Estonia and Hungary already have bans. It is crucial that associations, companies and consumers, who want to keep vejpningen as an alternative to cigarettes, react and send their views to the European Commission", writes ETHRA.
