The Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) expresses serious concern over recent comments by EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi suggesting that novel nicotine products are as harmful as tobacco. Such a position fails to reflect the fundamental differences in risk between combustible cigarettes and vaping products.
In a recent interview with Euractiv, Commissioner Várhelyi was asked whether his conviction that novel nicotine products are as harmful as tobacco would be reflected in the upcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). He responded: “I stand by that.” He added that the evaluation had confirmed his view and referred to conversations with pulmonologists and increasing nicotine use among young people.
For IEVA, this statement raises serious concerns about the scientific basis of future EU tobacco and nicotine policy.
Vaping is not risk-free. But it is definitely far less harmful than smoking. The distinction matters because the overwhelming majority of smoking-related harm is caused by the combustion of tobacco and the resulting exposure to toxic substances in cigarette smoke. Link to vaping studies
Equating vaping with smoking risks misleading millions of European consumers about the relative risks of different nicotine products. It may also discourage adult smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.
Youth protection and harm reduction must go hand in hand
IEVA fully supports strong measures to prevent young people from accessing nicotine products. Effective age restrictions and enforcement are essential.
However, concerns about youth use do not justify ignoring the scientific distinction between combustible cigarettes and non-combustible alternatives.
Youth protection and tobacco harm reduction are not contradictory objectives. A responsible European policy must pursue both.
Evidence must guide the TPD revision
The Commissioner also confirmed that the European Commission has completed its evaluation of the current Tobacco Products Directive and is now preparing the Impact Assessment before presenting proposals for a revision.
This makes the Commissioner’s comments particularly concerning.
The upcoming TPD revision will shape European tobacco and nicotine policy for years to come. It must therefore be based on scientific evidence and a proper assessment of relative risk – not on personal conviction.
Treating products with fundamentally different risk profiles as if they were equally harmful would undermine the principle of evidence-based policymaking and could have serious unintended consequences for European public health.
IEVA calls on the European Commission to ensure that the upcoming Impact Assessment and TPD revision fully reflect the available scientific evidence on vaping, smoking and harm reduction.
Science must come before conviction. Vaping is not harmless – but it is far less harmful than smoking.
