FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Innovation Meets Regulation: International Webinar Explored Effective Anti-Smoking Strategies
London, UK (April 4, 2024) — We Are Innovation hosted the webinar “Innovation Meets Regulation: The 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index.” This powerful talk embarked on the official start of the campaign dedicated to the launch of the index.
The 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index, developed by We Are Innovation, provides a comprehensive analysis and ranking of the public policies implemented in the fight against smoking. Covering 69 countries and four regions, including nearly 70 percent of the global population, this definitive Index evaluates 11 categories. It offers unprecedented insights into regulatory frameworks, taxation, and governmental measures surrounding innovative nicotine products such as vaping, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.
The webinar, featuring Members of the European Parliament, regulatory experts, economists, and innovation experts, shed light on the regulatory frameworks regarding anti-smoking policies from the most prominent global authorities in the field. The lineup of panelists included Guy Bent (US), the Director of Consumer Freedom at Reason Foundation; Eric Crampton (New Zealand), Chief Economist at The New Zealand Initiative; Johan Nissinen (Sweden), a Member of the European Parliament serving on the ITRE Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the FEMM Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality; Lord Matt Ridley (UK), the bestselling author and the founding chairman of the International Centre for Life in Newcastle, and Federico N. Fernández (Argentina), the CEO of We Are Innovation.
The event was moderated by the Chief Communications Officer of We Are Innovation, Tetiana Rak (Ukraine).
Federico N. Fernández stated, “At We Are Innovation, we work on issues that require innovative approaches and solutions. One area we recognize as having significant potential for improvement is in innovative nicotine products. These products have the capability to combat smoking-related diseases. This issue holds a big importance, which is reflected in Index that evaluates policies across eleven categories. Our research encompasses a global population of 5.5 billion individuals, giving the ability to see the differences in global anti-smoking policies and windows for improvement.”
Eric Crampton added, “Prohibitionist policies used to be the only way to deal with smoking. However, it is not the efficient way to punish people for what they enjoy and what they cannot give up on that easily. They should have the ability to choose a product rather than to depend on that on a governmental official. Vaping, vaping with flavor, heated tobacco, snus or nicotine pouches could provide a good alternative. By showcasing the effectiveness of alternative products, the Index provides a new perspective on addressing smoking-related issues. Moving beyond punishing policies, we can advocate for better regulations that offer innovative solutions to combat smoking habits and promote healthier choices across the globe.”
Guy Bentley covered the situation in the US, “When we talk about public communication of the products, we see the big issue – for instance, safer e-cigarettes are being seen as far more dangerous than regular cigarettes, even in comparison to the state of affairs 10 years ago which is a significant failure. Now we see the consequences of the informational blockage equal to the so-called ‘invisible graveyard’ — while the safer alternative can come to the market, the delay in the decision-making on the side of the officials that prevents, will lead to the deaths of people who could have been saved if the alternative was available.”
Johan Nissinen adds on Swedish policies, “With the new government, in Sweden we introduced higher taxes on cigarettes and lower on snus. The new regulations will come in November of this year. Currently, in Sweden the number of smokers is 5,6 percent while in the EU the average rate is ~23 percent. The upcoming changes in the tax legislation will lower the taxation for 20 percent on snus. I believe that if other EU countries had our policies, they would succeed in decreasing the general number of smokers.”
Matt Ridley gave a thought on the UK regulations, “I do not smoke myself, nor I vape, but as a person who is interested in innovations, I see the superior innovative product replacing inferior one which comes together with saving a large amount of lives. When considering the risks associated with vaping, it becomes evident that it offers a significantly smaller risk in terms of carcinogens and is a safer alternative. David Cameron’s ‘libertarian’ policy on vaping has led to the opening of the vaping industry in Britain, catering to a large market of individuals seeking to quit smoking.”
“Innovative nicotine products should be accompanied by smart regulations that balance out public health interests and individual freedoms. By embracing a forward-thinking approach, we can effectively address the problem of smoking and leverage innovative nicotine products to bring about a safer and healthier future for consumers globally,” sumed up Tetiana Rak.
The webinar aimed to promote public discussion among policymakers, public health experts, activists, and anyone interested in the future of harm reduction regarding effective anti-smoking measures worldwide. Learn more about the 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index at https://antismoking.global/. The recording of the webinar is available at https://youtu.be/qAYcPAq6rh4.
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ABOUT WE ARE INNOVATION
We Are Innovation is a dynamic network of individuals and institutions who fervently believe in the power of innovation to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing problems. With a global presence encompassing over 40 think tanks, foundations, and NGOs, We Are Innovation represents the diverse voices of a global civil society committed to advancing human creativity, embracing new technologies, and promoting innovative solutions. Through our collaborative approach and cutting-edge expertise, we are spearheading transformative change on a global scale. To learn more about our work, visit us at https://weareinnovation.global/.
