Today, the Consumer Choice
Center in cooperation with
the World Vapers
Alliance launched a new study on
vaping and the gateway myth.
This paper aims to debunk several aspects of
the “gateway argument” and provide an alternative perspective as
to why vaping actually helps conventional smokers divert from
traditional and harmful tobacco consumption.
“Most anti-vaping arguments fail to take into
account the fact that e-cigarettes target tobacco consumers. This
is similar to sugar consumption by people who suffer from
diabetes: sugar substitutes are not a gateway to sugar because it
is because of the harmful effects of sugar that they had to
switch. Sugar substitutes are not blamed for increased sugar
consumption, and e-cigarettes that serve a similar purpose should
be equally endorsed,” said Maria Chaplia, European Affairs
Associate at the Consumer Choice Center and a co-author of the
paper.
“We want our paper to be used by policymakers
in Europe and across the world as a guide into a pro-consumer,
pro-science, and pro-choice approach to lifestyle regulations.
Vaping does help adult smokers quit: it is twice as effective as
nicotine replacement therapies, and youth use of e-cigarettes is
rare and most users are current or former smokers. We know enough
about vaping to endorse it and lawmakers need to act
accordingly,” said Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers
Alliance.
The main findings of the paper
are:
• Nicotine is not the issue – toxins in
cigarettes are
• E-cigarettes help adults quit
smoking
• Vaping does not lead to smoking among
adolescents
• Banning flavours won’t solve the
problem
