On March 3, in Belgium, the publication of a royal decree transposed the European directive on tobacco, then disrupting the electronic cigarette market by imposing strict regulations. Following this event a new association for the defense of the e-cigarette was born: The Belgian Union for Vape. Today, the Royal Decree comes into force which now considers the electronic cigarette as a tobacco product and sets a series of limits and prohibitions. For the occasion, the drafting of Vapoteurs.net has met Tanguy Souroche, President of the Belgian Union for Vape.
Vapoteurs.net : Hello, following the Royal Decree published in Belgium at the beginning of March the Belgian Union for the Vape has made its appearance. Can you introduce us to the association ?
ASBL : The association is born from users of personal vaporizers (we want to see the disappearance of this now harmful term of e-cig) present on different groups in social networks. Some sellers and manufacturers are also interested in it primarily as enthusiasts, but also given the investment they have made. We have the clear desire to bring together all the forces and wills available for the fight to be waged in order to maintain access to the vape which has saved us from tobacco but also brings us pleasure. This association does not aim to prevent a regulation of the vape but it wants it intelligent, concerted and based on independent science rather than on beliefs and pressures.
The objectives will be refined, as of right, once the first board of directors within the legally founded non-profit association has met, but the spirit is this. It will have to raise funds in order to be able to challenge the current Royal Decree if the angles defined by the first contacts with specialists allow it and to communicate on the subject. Finally, its other objects are to defend and promote vaping as well as to provide information and training as needed.
Vapoteurs.net : What are the demands of the Belgian Vape Union? ?
Our claim is simply that of common sense that I will try to define in a few points:
- A report on the vaporizer requested by the Belgian state made positive conclusions on the product that is being massacred by this decree.
- The first concerned, users as sellers or manufacturers were not validly consulted or listened to.
- This decree is based on the beliefs and obvious ignorance of decision-makers of the nature and use of this device.
-The latest generation equipment, constantly evolving, brings significant improvements in terms of safety, health, ergonomics and quality. This decree takes us ten years back to the prehistory of vaping.
- The manufacturers most prepared for the new standards are the tobacco manufacturers. We believe that the seller of death cannot build a virtual monopoly on this competitive market. It is neither logical nor ethical. It would in fact benefit from the war chest accumulated on the backs of smokers by poisoning them to control at their will a tool to help with smoking cessation.
- Request 125 euros per year to "approve" an existing product from tobacco companies and 4000 euros for each current vaping product ... I will let you conclude on the priorities given by the state ... In conclusion, our only demands are citizens: to be listened to, to be heard and respected!
Vapoteurs.net : Will you like AIDUCE in France open an annual membership fee to finance possible prosecutions? ?
A priori, the subscription will only concern those who want to become an effective member of the association and therefore have the right to vote at assemblies and formalize their participation. Adherent members would remain free of association. However, we are thinking of launching a crowd funding formula on specific projects, first and foremost the challenge of this Royal Decree. Donations will of course also be welcome and the structure of the non-profit organizations guarantees transparency of accounts.
Vapoteurs.net : What was the real impact of this royal decree on Belgian vapers? Doesn't the creation of the UBV prove in some way that Belgian vapers are not resigned? ?
In the current state of our knowledge the consequences are dramatic. Internet commerce will be closed on March 13 and be careful, including for shops that will no longer be able to provide themselves with equipment. No product that is not "approved" may be sold while the organization and the approval standards…. do not exist yet! The impact is therefore violent because we can theoretically no longer supply ourselves at home or online. We will therefore depend on our stocks, resourcefulness and physical travel abroad. Even if the resistance is organized, it will hold more of the maquis and the finasserie than of a real temporary solution. Solidarity will play a full role.
At this stage it is the announced death of our specialized shops and of free vaping. But let's stay positive, this Decree also signals the awakening of vapers and professionals and a tremendous momentum has been born. In a few days, thousands of people are mobilizing in a small country where vaping has remained confidential because of legal vagueness and pressure on both sellers and buyers of nicotine liquid. This suggests that all is not lost, far from it and that many have understood that vaping is more than a product but also an unexpected chance to get rid of a poison bearing the state tax stamp.
Vapoteurs.net : Where can we find the Union Belge pour la Vape? Is there a website? A permanent room ?
You can write to the head office of the ASBL, consult the facebook group as well as the facebook information page of the association, visit our website under construction, follow us on tweeter ... we intend to be visible, make noise, we make available and move forward!
Vapoteurs.net : If you are not Belgian, how can we on our side support the Belgian Union for vaping? ?
The current signs of solidarity are doing us good. Knowing that we are not alone in this fight which will soon affect all of Europe is positive. More concretely, everyone can participate in the sharing of information, contribute to forging international links that will help each country to defend itself, help us to dissociate ourselves from the cigarette by forgetting the terms of e-cigarettes and derivatives or by not forgetting to correct smoke by steam and even more materially, any participation in crowd funding will be welcome knowing that a victory here will be a foot in the door in each country and that betting on a small state, central and where the European Parliament sits can be a smart strategic choice.
Vapoteurs.net : Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, we wish you good luck in the defense of vaping in your country, we must all remain united in these difficult times
To join the Union Belge Pour la Vape : The facebook page / Facebook group
