"If politicians don't come to us - we must come to the politicians"
Denmark bans flavours in e-juice. This became clear after the Danish parliament voted in favour of the government's proposal late last year. Now, road warriors across the country are raising their voices - by entering politics.
The Danish consumer organisation for roadside vendors, DADAFO, is starting a political party. The reason is the upcoming ban on flavours in e-juice, which the Danish Parliament passed late last year. DADAFO organised a demonstration in front of Christiansborg on the same day as the parties debated the bill.
"But nobody listened to us, the users. And yet we are the ones directly affected by the ban. Politicians didn't even try. And the media ignored all our attempts to speak out. We didn't even get a voice in the debate." says Jeanett Bergfriedt Andersen, one of the initiators of the Steam Party and active in DADAFO.
The day after the demonstration in Copenhagen, the decision was made: all flavours in e-liquid, except tobacco and menthol, will soon be illegal to sell in Denmark.
Already strict regulations for e-cigarettes
Denmark has implemented the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in its legislation for several years. This means that e-cigarettes are strictly regulated with marketing restrictions, bottle size requirements, a maximum nicotine strength of 20 mg and product registration six months before sale. There is also an age limit of 18 years for purchase. But a flavour ban would hit the country's vape shops harder than EU legislation, according to DADAFO. The shops make their living by selling flavours that are in demand by customers.
The current bill will now be scrutinised and finalised by several bodies, including the Legislative Council. It is a process that DADAFO and the newly formed Steam Party hope to influence.
"The idea is not that we necessarily have to run in the next election. But it's an attempt to be heard through the awareness it can create." says Jeanett Bergfriedt Andersen.
Tobacco companies and the pharmaceutical industry
DADAFO currently has 3,000 members. For the party to stand in the next elections (2023), 20,180 signatures are required. So far, the Steam Party has collected 500.
"We now hope that most vape shops in Denmark will support us with information and help us gain members. But we are fighting against the propaganda from big tobacco and pharmaceutical companies. If our politicians don't talk to us and listen, it won't end well. It could mean that we won't have any vape shops left in six months' time."
This spring, the Steam Party will launch campaigns to spread the message that "tobacco harm reduction should be a political priority". They will also highlight that flavours in e-juice help smokers quit cigarettes for good.
Sources for this article:
Tobacco harm reduction must be a political priority
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