Vaping Unplugged Podcast

Vaping Unplugged Podcast

di World Vapers Alliance
EducazioneCommenti di notizie
THR Global Launch: A New Platform for the Harm Reduction Community ft. Kurt Yeo
In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, Liza Katsiashvili, Director of Operations at the World Vapers' Alliance, sits down with Kurt Yeo, founder of Vaping Saved My Life and the newly launched THR Global. The conversation explores the creation of THR Global, a new platform built to support and unite the tobacco harm reduction community worldwide. Kurt shares the story behind the project, what gap it aims to fill, and how it connects advocates, consumers, and organizations working toward a smoke-free future. From the origins of Vaping Saved My Life to the vision driving THR Global, this episode takes a closer look at what community-led harm reduction looks like in practice, and what comes next. 🔗 Learn more about THR Global: https://thrglobal.org/pt 📲 Follow Kurt on X: https://x.com/Kurt_Yeo 📲 Follow THR Global on X: https://x.com/THR_Global 📸 Follow Vaping Saved My Life on Instagram: http://instagram.com/vsml.sa
E93
1 mag 2026
18:26
Flavour Ban in Germany? What's at Stake ft. Prof. Bernd Mayer
🇩🇪 This episode is in German. In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, sits down with Professor Bernd Mayer (PhD) to discuss the growing debate around a potential flavour ban in Germany. Mayer is a Professor and Chair Member of the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Graz, in Austria. The conversation explores what such a ban could mean for consumers, public health, and smoking cessation efforts. Professor Mayer brings his scientific perspective to the table, breaking down the role flavours play in helping smokers switch, and what the evidence actually says. From policy discussions to real-world consequences, this episode takes a closer look at how Germany is approaching vaping regulation, and what could come next.
E92
1 mag 2026
24:26
North America’s War on Nicotine? ft. Elizabeth Hayes and Sabine Benoit
In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, Lisa from the World Vapers’ Alliance is joined by Elizabeth Hayes, Head of External Affairs at the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), and Sabine Benoit, CCC’s Canadian Policy Associate. Together, they break down the rapidly shifting landscape of nicotine policy across North America — from the USA and Canada to Mexico. Liz explains how U.S. lawmakers are increasingly targeting not only vaping products, but also nicotine pouches, with flavor bans, tax hikes, and new regulatory hurdles. The conversation explores recent developments in the PMTA process, including the first FDA authorizations for nicotine pouches — and what that could mean for the future of harm reduction in America. Sabine shares the Canadian perspective, where federal and provincial rules have made access to safer alternatives increasingly restrictive. From pharmacy-only pouch access to widespread flavor bans, Canada’s framework treats vaping much like cigarettes — despite growing evidence that many smokers are successfully quitting with e-cigarettes. The episode also looks at Mexico’s recent constitutional amendment banning vapes while combustible cigarettes remain legal — raising serious questions about public health priorities and unintended consequences, including illicit trade and economic impact. Despite the challenges, there are reasons for cautious optimism. New Canadian data shows that a significant share of smokers who quit in 2024 used vaping to do so. And internationally, Sweden’s success offers a powerful example of what evidence-based policy can achieve. This episode dives into the tension between prohibition and harm reduction — and why consumer choice continues to drive change, even when governments resist.
E91
1 mag 2026
28:09
Europeans Being Silenced? The “Fake Submissions” Claim Explained ft. Peter Beckett | Ep. 90
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.
E90
9 feb 2026
25:10
What EU Lawmakers Really Think About Vaping ft. Barnaby Page | Ep. 88
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. 📲 Stay connected with the World Vapers’ Alliance: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E88
27 nov 2025
31:36
Prohibition Does Not Work: Global Bans & Their Harmful Impact ft. Tim Andrews | Ep. 86
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: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E86
12 set 2025
26:29
WHO’s Love Affair with Turkmenistan? ft. Fred Roeder | Ep. 85
In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, our host and Director Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, sits down with Frederik Roeder, Managing Director of the Consumer Choice Center, to discuss the grim reality of vaping in Turkmenistan. Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is banned in Turkmenistan due to a comprehensive anti-tobacco law that prohibits their sale, import, distribution, and use. While not officially published, this informal ban led to the disappearance of vape products from shelves in 2023, and attempting to bring them into the country can result in confiscation and potential fines or jail time. While smokers in the country face limited options and vapers face outright hostility, the World Health Organization only adds fuel to the fire by pushing prohibitionist narratives instead of supporting harm reduction. Michael and Fred unpack what this means for consumers, why the WHO continues to block life-saving alternatives, and what can be done to challenge this global double standard. 📢 Share your thoughts in the comments and join the fight for smarter regulation. 📲 Stay connected with the World Vapers’ Alliance in social media: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E85
1 set 2025
20:37
Vaping in Czechia: Progress Made, Challenges Ahead ft. Petr Horáček | Ep. 84
In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, our host, Liza Katsiashvili, Director of Operations at the World Vapers’ Alliance, chats with Petr Horáček about the state of vaping in Czechia. The country has made real progress in embracing harm reduction, once seen as a frontrunner, but big challenges remain. They talk about the victories Czechia has already achieved, the policies that made it a leader in the past, and the roadblocks still standing in the way of better regulation. From lessons learned to what needs to change, this is a candid look at vaping in the heart of Europe. 📲 Stay connected with the World Vapers’ Alliance and join the fight for smarter regulation: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E84
13 ago 2025
26:56
Tax Hikes in the EU: What Consumers Need to Know? ft. Peter Beckett | Ep. 83
In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, our host Liza Katsiashvili, Director of Operations at the World Vapers' Alliance, sits down with Peter Beckett from Clearing the Air to break down the latest tax hikes on vaping and other nicotine alternatives across the European Union. What’s behind the EU’s push for higher taxes? How will it impact adult consumers, public health, and the broader harm reduction movement? Is there still time to shift the conversation? From policy deep-dives to real-world consequences, this episode brings you the facts — unplugged and unfiltered. 👉 Learn more about Peter’s work and stay informed by visiting: https://clearingtheair.eu/en/ 📲 Stay connected with the World Vapers’ Alliance and join the fight for smarter regulation: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E83
5 ago 2025
18:08
Vape Bans, Taxes & Truth: A Vape Shop Point of View (Deutsch) | Ep. 82
Germany has been at the heart of Europe’s harm reduction debate, but rising taxes and looming flavour bans are threatening its progress. In this episode, host Michael Landl speaks with Christian Tänzer, a vape shop owner from Cologne and a frontline witness to how these policies impact real people. The conversation dives into the consequences of Germany’s regulatory direction, the pressure on small businesses, and how these changes undermine efforts to help smokers quit. They also explore the broader implications for harm reduction across Europe, the role of consumer advocacy, and why Germany's choices matter beyond its borders. 🎧 If you care about evidence-based public health and the right to safer alternatives, this is an episode you can’t miss. For more updates and content, follow the World Vapers’ Alliance on all platforms: Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance
E82
5 ago 2025
39:25
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