In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we sit down with Peter Beckett from Clearing the Air to unpack a troubling claim shaking EU policymaking: that thousands of consumer responses to an EU consultation on taxing nicotine products are supposedly “fake.”

An obscure NGO called Impact Unfiltered alleged that more than 18,000 consumer submissions were little more than tobacco industry manipulation — a claim the European Commission is reportedly taking seriously.

But is there any evidence to back it up? Peter walks us through Clearing the Air’s investigation into these accusations, explaining why the claims don’t hold up, how GDPR protections were misrepresented as “anonymity,” and why equating shared language with industry coordination is a fundamental analytical failure.

The conversation also digs into who Impact Unfiltered actually is, where the narrative originated, and why this matters far beyond a single consultation — especially with major EU tobacco and nicotine policy decisions looming, including tax reform, the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, and a likely political showdown in the coming years.

At stake is a basic democratic question: do consumer voices still count in EU policymaking — or can they be dismissed as “fake” when they become inconvenient?

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on all your favourite audio platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, sits down with Barnaby Page from E-Cig Intelligence — a former reporter who now provides deep analysis on global harm reduction and nicotine policy.

Together, they unpack the findings of the fourth edition of E-Cig Intelligence’s ongoing survey of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), revealing how lawmakers across the EU perceive vaping, safer nicotine alternatives, and future regulation.

They also take a closer look at COP11 — what happened behind the scenes, what it means for consumers, and how global conversations are shaping the European policy landscape. From shifting political attitudes to international debates, this episode offers a clear and honest look at where nicotine policy is heading next.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on all your favourite platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer.

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In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, our host Liza Katsiashvili, Director of Operations at the WVA, sits down with Timothy Andrews, Director of Consumer Issues at the Tholos Foundation and a leading partner of the initiative Prohibition Does Not Work.

Together, they dive into the global trend of prohibition on safer nicotine products and unpack why these bans fail to reduce smoking rates. Instead, prohibition fuels illicit markets, undermines public health, and leaves consumers with fewer — and more dangerous — options.

From country case studies to the bigger picture for harm reduction, Timothy and Liza explore how smarter, consumer-driven policies can save lives.

📲 Stay connected with the World Vapers’ Alliance:

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