Scientists challenge EU Health Commissioner’s ‘misinformation’ on safer nicotine alternatives

STOCKHOLM – A group of 23 leading European scientists has publicly challenged “false and misleading” claims made by EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi about smoke-free nicotine products.

In an open letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the experts warn that statements by Olivér Várhelyi claiming that smoke-free nicotine products are “as harmful” as cigarettes contradict the scientific evidence and risk distorting major European public health policies.

The signatories include prominent researchers from institutions such as Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Geneva and KU Leuven, along with leading experts including David Nutt, Peter Hajek, Jean‑François Etter, Karl Lund and Clive Bates.

Their letter responds to repeated statements by the Commissioner in interviews, on social media and in parliamentary answers asserting that smoke-free nicotine products carry the same risks as combustible cigarettes.

Várhelyi has also cited “popcorn lung” as evidence – a condition never documented from vaping and linked to an ingredient already banned in EU e-liquids.

The experts fear that Várhelyi’s stance “will damage public health, compromise the European Union’s policymaking, and erode the European Union’s credibility”. They add: “There are over 100 million tobacco and nicotine users in the EU – a significant share of the electorate – and they should expect better.”

Dr Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “When a senior public official claims smoke-free nicotine products are as harmful as cigarettes, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, he risks misleading millions of smokers and undermining life-saving public health strategies.”

The scientists’ letter cites evidence from institutions including the Royal College of Physicians, Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, France’s National Cancer Institute and the US Food and Drug Administration. All conclude that smoke-free nicotine products expose users to a small fraction of the risk associated with combustible cigarettes.

According to the letter, misinformation at the highest levels of EU policy is already influencing key initiatives including revisions to the Tobacco Products Directive, discussions on excise taxation and programmes such as Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.

“European policymakers should be guided by science, not slogans,” said Dr Human. “Harm reduction is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce smoking deaths, but it only works if policymakers acknowledge the evidence.

“The cost of ignoring that evidence will be measured in the lost lives of the millions who continue smoking.”

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