BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The World Federation of Vaping Users today launched a massive global campaign - "Back Vaping. Beat Smoking" (support e-cigarettes, quit traditional smoking), Designed to influence international public health policy and save 200 million lives worldwide.

Michael Landl, director of the World Federation of Electronic Cigarette Users, said: “Important research and real-world evidence show that trend-setting vaping policies can help millions of smokers successfully quit. However, as policymakers come under pressure from anti-vaping groups, The rollout of e-cigarettes remains elusive. Our campaign will enable governments to seize the opportunity to save 200 million lives by ensuring the public has access to the evidence and the voices of e-cigarette users.”

2021 is a pivotal year for global public health policy. Two major milestones this year will determine the choice for governments - whether to seize the opportunity to save 200 million lives or limit smokers' access to life-changing tools to quit. The first is the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP9) to the global Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which will set the direction for global anti-smoking and vaping-related policies. Second is the EU's Tobacco Products Directive legislation currently under discussion in Brussels, which will serve as the benchmark for vaping policy worldwide.

Landl said: “At the ninth COP and at the EU level, it is possible that global leaders, under pressure from anti-vaping activists, will introduce laws that treat e-cigarettes on the same level as traditional cigarettes. This will give e-cigarette users, A disaster for traditional smokers and public health. Millions of e-cigarette users could be forced to return to life if taxes on e-cigarettes are significantly increased, sales of aromatized pods are banned, and tougher policies on e-cigarette purchases are introduced. Pick up a cigarette."

Michael Landl added: “If governments ignore the fact that e-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes and have helped millions of people successfully quit smoking, they will miss a golden opportunity to save lives. If countries can formulate the right e-cigarettes Policies can save nearly 200 million lives. 2021 will definitely be a critical year to achieve that.”

The World Alliance of Vaping Users today launched a global campaign to ensure that the millions of vaping users who have successfully quit traditional cigarettes have their voices heard and are heard by all parties involved. The Back Vaping. Beat Smoking campaign will send a clear message to all policy makers around the world: The best way to eradicate smoking is to promote e-cigarettes and integrate them into public health policy.

Michael Landl concluded: “It is critical that the voices of e-cigarette users are heard by all parties involved. That is why we are developing this campaign in Europe and around the world. Our campaign will include many campaign to ensure governments seize the opportunity to 'support e-cigarettes and quit traditional cigarettes'."