Many governments have proposed or introduced restrictions on vaping flavours because of concerns about youth use of nicotine vaping products. Protecting young people from nicotine use is an important public health objective.
However, evidence indicates that flavours are also an important reason why many adults who smoke successfully switch to vaping products and remain smoke-free. Restricting flavour availability may therefore reduce the appeal of vaping products for adults who would otherwise switch away from combustible cigarettes.
We support measures to prevent youth access while maintaining access to a range of flavours for adults who smoke. A balanced regulatory approach should seek to protect young people without reducing opportunities for tobacco harm reduction.