Latest news with #MichaelLandl
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
EU's Champions League: Sweden, Czech Republic, and Greece Score Big Against Smoking
WVA's trophy ceremony in front of the European Parliament BRUSSELS, Belgium, July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brussels turned into a Champions League arena for harm reduction as the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA) staged a trophy ceremony in front of the European Parliament, celebrating the real winners in the fight against smoking. Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Greece took centre stage, hoisting the 'Champions of Change' trophy for their remarkable victories in reducing smoking rates—while EU policymakers watched from the sidelines. 'Brussels is obsessed with prohibition and ignores the evidence right in front of them. Lives are being lost because the EU refuses to follow the science,' said WVA Director Michael Landl as he handed over the trophies. 'Instead of learning from countries that are saving lives, the EU is making life harder for smokers who want to quit.' Sweden claimed the top spot, becoming the world's first officially smoke-free nation with just 4.5% of Swedish-born adults smoking—a rate five times lower than the European average and achieved 16 years ahead of the EU's own target. The Czech Republic and Greece also took home silverware, having cut smoking rates by 23% and 14% respectively in the last three years through pragmatic, harm reduction-focused strategies. But while the champions celebrated on the podium, EU leaders remained stuck in the locker room. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, ahead of Ireland's EU Council Presidency next year, outrageously claimed that vaping is as bad as the smoking phenomenon—signalling a worrying direction for future policy. WVA Policy Manager Alberto Gómez Hernández warned, 'The EU's refusal to recognise these achievements is a disservice to millions of Europeans who deserve better options to quit smoking.' With Commissioner Varhelyi confirming that the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) will be revised this term, the WVA urged Brussels to stop missing open goals and start following the lead of Europe's true champions—before more lives are lost off the pitch. Contact:Michael Landl info@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Silent No More: Protesters Demand Consumer Voice at Tobacco Control Summit
WVA's protest in Dublin DUBLIN, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the opening day of the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) in Dublin, the World Vapers' Alliance staged a silent protest outside the venue, visually highlighting the exclusion of consumers from global tobacco and nicotine policy debates. Demonstrators with their mouths taped symbolised the ongoing marginalisation of those most affected by regulatory decisions. The protest is part of the 'Voices Unheard—Consumers Matter!' campaign, launched as delegates gathered inside to discuss the future of tobacco control without meaningful input from the consumers who are most impacted by these policies. This exclusion is especially concerning with COP11 in Geneva approaching and the World Health Organization pushing for bans on flavoured nicotine products—a move that would deny adults safer alternatives. Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers' Alliance, warned that outdated, ideologically driven policies, often influenced by powerful interests like Michael Bloomberg, threaten to reverse progress in reducing smoking rates. 'Safer nicotine alternatives have the potential to save millions of lives, but only if they are supported by sensible, evidence-based regulation. We cannot afford to let ideology stand in the way of real progress,' Landl said. The campaign comes at a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) is pushing for sweeping bans on flavoured nicotine products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Such measures would remove vital tools from adults seeking to quit smoking and could drive many back to combustible tobacco. Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy and Advocacy Manager for the WVA, stressed the importance of listening to consumers. 'Instead of banning flavours and safer alternatives, we need policies that protect both youth and adult smokers who want to quit smoking,' he explained. The protest underscores the urgent need for genuine consumer inclusion and evidence-based harm reduction as the world prepares for COP11. For media enquiries and high-resolution images, please contact: Michael Landl info@ VAPERS' ALLIANCE INC 18117 BISCAYNE BLVD PMB 60190 MIAMI, FL 33160 High-quality pictures of the protest can be found here. More information about flavour bans: More about the WVA's demands: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Bloomberg's War on Harm Reduction Faces Consumer Backlash at Tobacco Conference
DUBLIN, IRELAND / ACCESS Newswire / June 23, 2025 / On the eve of the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC), a lightshow illuminated the conference centre in Dublin, sending a clear message: millions of consumers are being left out of the conversation on global tobacco and nicotine policy. The event, organised by the World Vapers' Alliance, launched the " Voices Unheard - Consumers Matter! " campaign to highlight the ongoing marginalisation of those most affected by tobacco control decisions. With COP11 in Geneva on the horizon, the campaign underscores the urgent need for consumer representation in policymaking. While hundreds of experts and officials discuss regulations behind closed doors, the light show symbolises the voices of countless adults who have successfully quit smoking with safer alternatives, yet remain unheard in critical policy debates. Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers' Alliance, criticised the influence of powerful figures such as Michael Bloomberg, whose support for prohibitionist policies often sidelines consumer perspectives. 'Policymakers must listen to those whose lives are directly impacted by these decisions,' Landl said. 'Evidence, not ideology or the influence of wealthy donors, should guide regulations.' The campaign also addresses recent calls from the World Health Organization for bans on flavoured nicotine products, which advocates argue would deny adults access to life-saving alternatives. Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy and Advocacy Manager for the WVA, emphasised, 'Banning flavours is not about protection-it's about denying adults the tools they need to quit smoking.' The World Vapers' Alliance continues to call for evidence-based harm reduction policies and genuine consumer inclusion as the world prepares for COP11. For media enquiries, please contact: Michael Landl [email protected] +436648412958 High-quality pictures can be found here. More information about flavour bans: More about the WVA's demands: SOURCE: World Vapers' Alliance press release
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
World Vape Day 2025 Marks 20 Years of Tobacco Harm Reduction Progress
World Vape Day 2025 BRUSSELS, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the global vaping community celebrates World Vape Day 2025, highlighting two decades of innovation and scientific advancement in tobacco harm reduction. This year's theme, '20 Years of Facts', underscores the growing body of evidence supporting vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking and its role in helping millions of adults quit combustible tobacco. World Vape Day is celebrated one day before World No Tobacco Day, emphasising the importance of evidence-based harm reduction tools in the fight against smoking-related disease. Since the introduction of modern vaping devices in 2003 and their subsequent arrival and uptake in Europe and the US, vaping has become a cornerstone of smoking cessation worldwide. Countries such as Sweden, the UK, and New Zealand, which have embraced tobacco harm reduction policies and ensured access to regulated vaping products, now report record-low smoking rates. Sweden, for example, is poised to become the first smoke-free country in Europe, defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers—an achievement attributed to widespread acceptance of safer nicotine alternatives. In contrast, nations with restrictive policies continue to lag behind in reducing smoking prevalence. Despite robust scientific consensus, misinformation and regulatory barriers persist. Many health advocates warn that bans and flavour restrictions risk reversing progress by pushing former smokers back to cigarettes. 'Persistent misperceptions about the relative risks of vaping versus smoking remain a significant challenge, with studies showing that a majority of smokers in many countries still believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking,' commented Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers' Alliance. World Vape Day is a reminder for policymakers, public health officials, and the media to prioritise facts over fear and to recognise the real-world impact and potentials of harm reduction. Advocates stress that an inclusive, evidence-based approach is essential to accelerate progress towards global smoke-free goals and to ensure that adult smokers have access to effective alternatives. For more information, campaign resources, and a full list of 20 facts about vaping and harm reduction, visit Media Contact: Michael Landl World Vapers' Alliance info@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
World Vape Day 2025 Marks 20 Years of Tobacco Harm Reduction Progress
World Vape Day 2025 BRUSSELS, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the global vaping community celebrates World Vape Day 2025, highlighting two decades of innovation and scientific advancement in tobacco harm reduction. This year's theme, '20 Years of Facts', underscores the growing body of evidence supporting vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking and its role in helping millions of adults quit combustible tobacco. World Vape Day is celebrated one day before World No Tobacco Day, emphasising the importance of evidence-based harm reduction tools in the fight against smoking-related disease. Since the introduction of modern vaping devices in 2003 and their subsequent arrival and uptake in Europe and the US, vaping has become a cornerstone of smoking cessation worldwide. Countries such as Sweden, the UK, and New Zealand, which have embraced tobacco harm reduction policies and ensured access to regulated vaping products, now report record-low smoking rates. Sweden, for example, is poised to become the first smoke-free country in Europe, defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers—an achievement attributed to widespread acceptance of safer nicotine alternatives. In contrast, nations with restrictive policies continue to lag behind in reducing smoking prevalence. Despite robust scientific consensus, misinformation and regulatory barriers persist. Many health advocates warn that bans and flavour restrictions risk reversing progress by pushing former smokers back to cigarettes. 'Persistent misperceptions about the relative risks of vaping versus smoking remain a significant challenge, with studies showing that a majority of smokers in many countries still believe vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking,' commented Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers' Alliance. World Vape Day is a reminder for policymakers, public health officials, and the media to prioritise facts over fear and to recognise the real-world impact and potentials of harm reduction. Advocates stress that an inclusive, evidence-based approach is essential to accelerate progress towards global smoke-free goals and to ensure that adult smokers have access to effective alternatives. For more information, campaign resources, and a full list of 20 facts about vaping and harm reduction, visit Media Contact: Michael Landl World Vapers' Alliance info@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in to access your portfolio
