FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Argentina: We Are Innovation Participates in Public Hearing on Vaping Control
* Federico N. Fernandez, We Are Innovation’s CEO, participated in the Public Hearing in Santa Fe.
* He emphasized that what is at stake are a billion lives.
Rosario, Argentina (August 4, 2022) — Federico N. Fernández, CEO of We Are Innovation, participated in the Public Hearing regarding the Provincial Tobacco Control Program reform. Organized by the Chamber of Deputies of the Province of Santa Fe, the meeting aimed to discuss the project promoted by Congresswoman Erica Hynes (PS).
The hearing was attended by medical science professionals, NGO members, representatives of the tobacco industry, and trade associations of small stores and kiosks.
SI’s Executive Director pointed out that “We Are Innovation welcomes the fact that the Santa Fe Congress is getting involved in the smoking issue. As we all know, millions of people worldwide are affected by it, and it is essential to explore ways to offer them solutions to improve their lives”.
However, he criticized that “the bill proposes a very questionable definition of smoking. It equates tobacco with nicotine when they are two different substances that can be consumed separately. Very negative consequences follow from this equating.”
“Vaping and other innovative alternatives to the traditional combustion cigarette are 95 to 98 percent safer, according to abundant scientific literature. Thanks to them, we are on the verge of eliminating smoking as we have known it until now. Treating the antidote as if it were poison puts the tens of thousands of vapers in the province at risk. It also condemns current smokers to the inhumane dichotomy of ‘quit or die'”, Federico Fernández stated.
The We Are Innovation network, which includes more than 30 NGOs and foundations and has a presence throughout LatAm and Europe, announced that it will continue to monitor the situation and promote innovation to eliminate smoking.
For more information, visit www.weareinnovation.eu
ENDS
ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION
We Are Innovation is a network formed by a group of individuals and institutions that believe innovative solutions are how people get involved in solving problems. With more than 30 think tanks and NGOs based in Europe and Latin America, We Are Innovation is the voice of a vibrant civil society that wants to progress through innovation, the adoption of new technologies and human creativity. Visit https://weareinnovation.global/ to learn more.
