A rising motion of shopper teams and vaping advocates throughout Europe is urging Greece to rethink its proposed ban on flavoured e-cigarettes. The measure, which might prohibit flavours to solely tobacco and menthol, is sparking fears it may reverse hard-won progress in decreasing smoking charges.
THR specialists argue that flavours are very important instruments for serving to people who smoke change to safer alternate options and warn the ban may push customers again to cigarettes or into unregulated black markets. Citing the unintended penalties seen in locations like Denmark, the place comparable restrictions backfired, advocates are calling for smarter, science-based rules that defend public well being with out sacrificing hurt discount.
The Greek Vapers’ Alliance and the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), argue that such a ban dangers driving former people who smoke again to cigarettes or into the unregulated black market. The truth is, research have proven that grownup vapers favor flavoured merchandise. Therefore, mentioned WVA Director Michael Landl, making flavours unavailable ignores science and can do extra hurt than good.
Echoing Landl’s concern, Nikolas Christofidis, from the Greek Vapers’ Alliance, mentioned that finally this ban doesn’t tackle the foundation causes of youth vaping, however punishes grownup ex-smokers who depend on flavours to remain off cigarettes. The truth is, backing this remark, knowledge have proven that since embracing hurt discount in 2019, Greece has seen a gentle drop in smoking—a pattern that bucks the sample seen in a lot of the EU.
THR specialists now concern that this progress is below deal with and are calling on well being officers to work with researchers, healthcare specialists, and customers to design balanced rules that defend minors with out alienating adults who’ve efficiently stop smoking. “Good coverage is constructed on science and dialogue—not knee-jerk bans,” Landl mentioned.
Numbers which can’t be denied
A brand new survey by the Danish Well being Authority reveals that quite than curbing youth use, the 2022 vape flavour ban seems to have unintentionally fueled each unlawful gross sales and higher demand for the very flavours it sought to eradicate.
Supporting these considerations, latest knowledge from Denmark point out that regardless of the strict ban on flavoured vapes set in 2022—excluding solely menthol and tobacco—the variety of younger individuals who vape has almost doubled. A brand new survey by the Danish Well being Authority reveals that quite than curbing youth use, the regulation seems to have unintentionally fueled each unlawful gross sales and higher demand for the very flavours it sought to eradicate.
In line with the report, vaping amongst Danes aged 15–29 rose from 7% in 2022 to 12% in 2024. Amongst all Danes, vaping elevated from 4% to six%, whereas smoking declined by the identical margin—suggesting that some customers are switching to much less dangerous alternate options once they’re accessible. Nonetheless, this shift has occurred largely exterior authorized channels.
Flavours which can be technically banned—like fruit, sweet, and soda—are nonetheless overwhelmingly most well-liked by customers. Fruit flavours alone account for 63% of use, whereas simply 32% of vapers reported utilizing the legally permitted menthol possibility. This pattern factors to a rising underground market that operates with little regard for age restrictions or product security.
Science or symbolism?
Critics from the vaping business and public well being group argue that the restrictive legal guidelines have backfired. Jeanett Andersen, a spokesperson for Danish vape retailer Geijser, referred to as the laws “a catastrophe” that didn’t anticipate its penalties. Likewise, Inger Schroll-Fleischer of the Danish nicotine business group Nikotinbranchen warned that present rules have created a thriving black market that places youth at higher danger.
The truth is, specialists within the discipline are actually sounding the alarm as Denmark considers increasing comparable restrictions to different nicotine merchandise, like pouches. They warn that repeating the identical over-regulatory strategy may worsen unlawful commerce and cut back entry to safer alternate options.
In the meantime, many are pointing to Sweden as a mannequin for smarter coverage. Swedish regulators have embraced hurt discount by way of merchandise like snus, resulting in a few of the lowest smoking charges in Europe with out heavy-handed bans. Advocates argue that Denmark ought to be taught from its neighbor’s success quite than doubling down on insurance policies that appear to be doing extra hurt than good.
Saving lives or sabotaging quits?
Furthermore, a number of research have confirmed that vape flavours play an important function in serving to people who smoke efficiently stop cigarettes. A 2020 examine revealed in Nicotine & Tobacco Analysis discovered that adults who used non-tobacco flavours like fruit or dessert have been extra more likely to stop smoking than these utilizing tobacco flavours. Equally, a 2022 evaluation from the Cochrane Overview concluded that e-cigarettes are simpler for smoking cessation than conventional nicotine alternative therapies, with flavoured choices bettering satisfaction and adherence. Whereas analysis led by famend heart specialist and researcher Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, additionally highlighted that selection in flavours considerably boosts stop charges by enhancing the vaping expertise and decreasing relapse danger.
As Greece weighs its subsequent steps, the selection is obvious: embrace evidence-based hurt discount or danger repeating the errors seen elsewhere. Flavoured vapes have performed a vital function in serving to people who smoke transition away from lethal flamable tobacco. Ignoring this actuality may undo years of public well being positive aspects and gas a thriving black market. Advocates urge policymakers to hearken to science, not concern, and craft rules that defend youth with out punishing adults looking for safer alternate options. Greece has the chance to guide with good, balanced coverage — nevertheless it should act now to keep away from setting again progress for a complete technology.
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