Through a press release issued yesterday, we learn that France Vapotage and FIVAPE were heard together by a fact-finding mission co-chaired by Mr. Eric WOERTH et Mrs Zivka PARK. Over time, it seems that these two entities have finally come to an agreement not to defend only vaping professionals (Fivape) or tobacconists and the tobacco industry (France Vapotage) but the vape in its greatest diversity.
TWO FÉDÉRATIONS IN PHASE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE SECTOR!
Two federations to defend vaping in France but above all two very distinct visions defining what vaping should be and who should represent it in the future. It is in a way the landscape presented by France Vapotage and Fivape for several years. However, things seem to have changed and, a few days ago, it was hand in hand that the two federations presented themselves to the National Assembly in order to be heard together by a fact-finding mission co-chaired by Mr. Eric WOERTH et Mrs Zivka PARK.
In his statement, France Vapotage announces a " an opportunity to raise the word of professionals and show that the two federations were in line with the main challenges of the sector as well as the threats weighing on the sector " Should we see the destruction of this wall erected between the professional vaping industry on one side and the vape offered by tobacconists and the tobacco industry on the other? ?
In any case, it is a big step that seems to have been taken by these two federations in order to defend vaping in the fight against the pre-eminence of tobacco, vapers and smokers. We can therefore welcome this merger because the question is not to know who dominates the market or how the e-cigarette is taking off but rather what are the means available so that the fight against tobacco prevalence is done with vaping.
A TWO HEARING TO DEFEND VAPING!
Yesterday, Wednesday March 10, France Vapotage has published A press release presenting a recent hearing to the National Assembly.
AUDITIONED AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, FRANCE VAPOTAGE DEFENDS THE VAPOTAGE SECTOR AND WARNS AGAINST THE RISKS OF OVER-TAXATION
Yesterday at the National Assembly, FRANCE VAPOTAGE and FIVAPE were heard together by an information mission co-chaired by Mr. Eric WOERTH and Ms. Zivka PARK. The opportunity to raise the word of professionals and show that the two federations were in phase with the main challenges of the sector as well as the threats hanging over the sector. They thus recalled and defended the role of vaping in the fight against the prevalence of smoking. They also warned of the risks of over-taxation of vaping products: health risks for more than 3 million consumers and economic risks for a sector that represents more than 15 jobs.
VAPE IS A WEIGHT, RELIABLE AND RECOGNIZED ALLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TOBACCO PREVALENCE
France Vapotage recalled that in a country where the smoking prevalence is one of the highest in Europe with 16 million smokers:
- the electronic cigarette is the tool most used1 by smokers to reduce or stop their tobacco consumption;
- it is also the most effective tool2 to quit smoking, ahead of nicotine substitutes, however reimbursed by Social Security;
- vaping is undoubtedly less risky than smoking: the vapor emitted by the electronic cigarette contains 95% less harmful substances than the smoke emitted by tobacco cigarettes.VAPE: A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY THREATENED
The European institutions plan to treat tobacco and vaping products in the same way, moreover called “assimilated products” or “new tobacco products”… even though they do not contain any! The over-taxation of vaping products, even more drastic barriers to communication, or even a restriction of aromas are being studied.
The potential consequences of these orientations, if they were to be confirmed, are known. In Italy, Spain and Portugal, the same results were observed after the implementation of anti-vaping policies:
- a disaster in terms of public health: sharp rise in the prevalence of smoking, consumption of unregulated and strictly controlled e-liquids or even mixtures of inappropriate substances;
- an economic disaster: destruction of the vaping industry, development of illicit trade (black market) and therefore tax revenues much lower than the objectives set.THIS IS WHY FRANCE VAPOTAGE SUBMITTED ITS REQUESTS TO PARLIAMENTARIANS:
• Fully RECOGNIZE vaping in tobacco control policies and encourage its practice by devoting more resources to its promotion and initiate more studies on its practices and uses ;
• PRESERVE what makes it attractive, in particular its price, the diversity of flavors available, and the plurality of distribution channels;
• GUARANTEE the protection and safety of the consumer by ensuring the quality of all products on the French market in order to clearly exclude any health risk;
• SUPPORT the sector and enable it to take a major step forward, ensuring the growth and sustainability of a responsible sector with high added value;
• GIVE more possibilities, in points of sale, to inform consumers about good vaping practices and to educate smokers, potential consumers.
To find out more, do not hesitate to visit the official website of France Vapotage or the Fivape.
