Eurobarometer 2020: Study on ‘Europeans’ attitudes towards tobacco and e-cigarettes’ shows that harm reduction is essential

The European Commission’s Beating Cancer Plan, published on 3 February 2021, was accompanied by a Eurobarometer study. The survey surveys EU citizens’ views on topics such as tobacco consumption and the use of alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes. The Eurobarometer findings are used by European policymakers to help them make informed policy decisions. However, while the Eurobarometer findings clearly demonstrate that European smokers are using alternative tobacco products to effectively quit or reduce their smoking and that this approach to risk reduction works, the European Commission has completely ignored the harm reduction approach and the scientific evidence behind it, and has failed to take its importance into account in the European Beating Cancer Plan.