How do EU citizens use e-cigarettes and other smokeless nicotine products?
The organization ETHRA wants to find out. More than 25,000 e-cigarette and snus users have so far responded to a survey, which could be the largest European compilation ever on the subject.
Important study on your nicotine habits (e-cigarettes and snus) CLICK HERE (EU Nicotine User Survey)
"The aim is to show a fact-based picture of what the situation is today and how future laws and restrictions could affect users - for better or worse. Politicians in the EU know far too little about this" says Philippe Poirson, editor of the magazine Vapolitics, involved in the French Interest Group #sovape and responsible for the survey within ETHRA.
"Only negative about e-cigarettes"
ETHRA (European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates) is a collaboration of consumer-driven interest groups from across Europe. The organization represents e-cigarette users and snus users from around 20 countries and mainly monitors EU legislation. Currently, the focus is on the upcoming revision of the European Tobacco Products Directive, TPD.
"The information about e-cigarettes that reaches decision-makers is often negatively biased and based on preconceptions" says Philippe Poirson. "When we read contributions from the bodies that influence EU politicians, we are struck by how little knowledge and interest there really is about how e-cigarettes work for users in the EU. How can they make the right decisions when they don't even know how the products are used here in Europe? Most base their opinions on vague data from the US and highlight unclear risks, but never potential health benefits, of e-cigarettes.
Tastes, taxes and bans
The survey focuses on three main issues: user behavior and previous smoking habits, availability and prices, and reactions to restrictions of different flavors.
"We have the feeling that politicians do not reflect much on the consequences of a taste ban or high taxes for users. Lobby groups are putting a lot of pressure on politicians and there is no balanced discussion. This survey will hopefully lead to a more open and serious debate" says Philippe Poirson to Vejpkollen.
EU directive on e-cigarettes is being revised
The EU is currently collecting opinions and feedback on the current TPD. The TPD governs factors such as nicotine yields, product registration, bottle safety and container sizes. Among other things. All EU countries have, in one way or another, implemented the TPD in their respective laws on tobacco and related products.
More recently, several countries, including Sweden, have also started taxing e-liquid. However, this is not part of the TPD - but may well be in the future, according to Philippe Poirson. And in the same way tasting ban, that are in progress in several countries, be part of a future tobacco directive.
"It is very easy for decision-makers to ignore what individuals say and think. But if a group organizes itself and speaks with a strong voice, it becomes harder to defend. That's why it's important for users to support the associations working for tobacco harm reduction, like e-cigarettes and snus. And hopefully the survey will be comprehensive enough to be used in individual countries and not just at EU level." Philippe Poirson.
