Verband des eZigarettenhandels e.V.
VdeH
Interessenvertretung und Regulierung von eZigarettenhandel und -produktion in Deutschland.
ID: 597108191578-12
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU cardiovascular health plan
16 Sept 2025
In 2022, approx. 1.68 million people in the EU died from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), accounting for 32.7% of all deaths. These diseases remain the leading cause of death in the EU and continue to pose a significant health challenge. A major, preventable risk factor for CVD is tobacco use. Numerous scientific studies, as well as the WHO, clearly demonstrate that smoking significantly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular conditions. Considering these circumstances, it is evident that any effective plan to combat CVD must include a comprehensive strategy for smoking prevention and harm reduction. This encompasses not only educational and preventive measures but also political and regulatory initiatives. Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death in the EU. Smoking prevalence remains at a concerningly high level, affecting around 24% of the adult population. This highlights that traditional measures alone are insufficient to sustainably reduce the health risks associated with smoking. An effective strategy must therefore go beyond conventional awareness campaigns and place effective support for smokers at its core. This primarily includes the recognition of e-cigarettes as a potentially less harmful alternative for adult smokers. Only through targeted support measures can the risk of coronary heart disease be meaningfully reduced and public health sustainably improved. Nicotine is the primary active substance in tobacco products and is responsible for their addictive properties. However, these effects are transient and do not pose a health risk for the vast majority of regular nicotine users. Nicotine is therefore not the leading cause of CVD. The increased risk is not caused by nicotine itself, but by the toxic substances produced through the combustion of tobacco. Harm reduction should be established as an equally important pillar alongside prevention and cessation in the EU strategy. It complements existing measures by providing smokers who cannot or do not wish to quit with safer alternatives, thereby reducing the risk of smoking-related diseases. Harm reduction approaches are a central component of a modern, evidence-based tobacco control strategy and contribute to the long-term strengthening of public health. Reduced-risk alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, should not be subject to the same regulatory standards as tobacco cigarettes. Instead of blanket restrictions, fiscal and regulatory incentives should be calibrated according to the products risk profile. This approach allows less harmful products to be actively promoted, while access to high-risk tobacco products remains strictly controlled. A risk-proportionate regulatory framework is essential to create incentives for smokers to switch while simultaneously ensuring the protection of non-smokers. Reducing CVD in the EU can only be achieved through a consistent and comprehensive strategy to curb smoking. Prevention of smoking initiation and support for cessation remain central tools in this effort. At the same time, harm reduction offers significant additional potential to substantially reduce the health risks associated with smoking. This could offer far-reaching benefits: Prevention of millions of cases of disease and deaths through targeted promotion of less harmful alternatives for smokers. Significant reduction in healthcare costs and fewer medical treatments over the long term. Improved quality of life for countless individuals who can live healthier lives by switching while avoiding the health consequences of smoking. E-cigarettes do contain nicotine, but it should always be kept in mind that nicotine is not the problem; the real harm comes from the toxic substances in tobacco smoke. The integration of harm reduction into a comprehensive EU strategy for cardiovascular health represents a crucial step toward sustainably strengthening public health and substantially reducing the burden of smoking-related diseases.
Read full response