Vaping Unplugged Podcast

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 [https://thrglobal.org/pt] 📲 Follow Kurt on X: https://x.com/Kurt_Yeo [https://x.com/Kurt_Yeo] 📲 Follow THR Global on X: https://x.com/THR_Global [https://x.com/THR_Global] 📸 Follow Vaping Saved My Life on Instagram: http://instagram.com/vsml.sa [http://instagram.com/vsml.sa]

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.

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.

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.

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 [http://x.com/vapers_alliance] Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance [http://instagram.com/vapers_alliance] TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance [http://tiktok.com/vapers_alliance] Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance [http://fb.com/wvalliance]