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

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

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

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

The United Kingdom has long been considered a global benchmark for progressive harm reduction policies. But today, that reputation is under threat.

In this episode, host Liza Katsiashvili speaks with Mark Oates, Director of WeVape UK, founder of the Snus Association, and one of the most vocal advocates for safer nicotine alternatives.

The conversation dives into the UK’s changing approach to vaping, including the proposal of a nationwide flavour ban, its political motivations, and the real consequences it may bring for public health.

They also explore broader regulatory trends, the role of consumer advocacy, and what this shift means not only for British vapers but for global harm reduction efforts as a whole.

🎧 If you care about evidence-based policy and the future of safer alternatives to smoking, this is a conversation you won’t want to 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

Martin Cullip on the UK's Crackdown on THR!

In this episode host Liza Katsiashvili speaks with British commentator and harm reduction advocate Martin Cullip about the UK's evolving stance on THR — and what it signals for global product control.

They discuss looming tax hikes, potential flavor bans, and how the UK’s shift could undermine its once-progressive approach to harm reduction. Martin also unpacks the broader international context, including the role of the WHO and the FCTC in shaping misguided policies that may harm, rather than help health.

🎧 Tune in for a critical look at what's happening in the UK — and why it matters.

📲 Follow the World Vapers’ Alliance for more:

Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance

Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance

TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance

Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance

Why Do Well-Meaning Initiatives Sometimes Hurt the Very People They Aim to Help?

In this episode of the Vaping Unplugged Podcast, we sit down with Shrey Madaan, an associate at the Consumer Choice Center in India and a dedicated advocate for consumer rights, to discuss the complex reality of vaping in India—from restrictive legislation to the pressing challenges faced by the Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) community today.

Through real-life stories and policy missteps, we unpack how well-intentioned bans can backfire and why empowering personal choice and access to less harmful alternatives is essential to moving public health forward.

🎧 Hit play to rethink what progress really looks like.

Follow the Consumer Choice Center

Instagram: Instagram.com/ConsumerChoiceC

Twitter: x.com/ConsumerChoiceC

Follow World Vapers' Alliance and stay tuned for the next episode:

Twitter: x.com/vapers_alliance

Instagram: instagram.com/vapers_alliance

TikTok: tiktok.com/vapers_alliance

Facebook: fb.com/wvalliance

Why do well-meaning policies sometimes hurt the very people they aim to protect? In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we sit down with Elizabeth Hicks - U.S. Affairs Analyst at Consumer Choice Center to explore how harm reduction offers a smarter, more compassionate alternative to outright bans.

From real-life stories to policy missteps, we discuss
Why bans often backfire
The power of personal choice
How to make public health actually work for people.

Hit play to rethink what progress really looks like.

This is Vaping Unplugged Podcast with the World Vapers' Alliance - Everything you need to know about vaping and tobacco harm reduction advocacy.

Follow World Vapers' Alliance and stay tuned for the next episode:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vapers_alliance

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vapers_alliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ WVAlliance

In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we're joined by the one and only Ivan Bik, aka Vaping Bik – a renowned podcaster and outspoken advocate for harm reduction. Ivan brings his signature energy and insight as we dive into the current state of vaping in the Netherlands.

What’s happening with Dutch vape laws? How are consumers reacting to flavor bans? What does the future look like for harm reduction in the Netherlands?

From political debates to public misperceptions, we cover it all — raw, real, and unplugged.

Whether you're a passionate vaper, a harm reduction advocate, or just curious about global vaping policies, this episode is a must-listen.

For more content follow Bik’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VapingBik

This is Vaping Unplugged Podcast with the World Vapers' Alliance - Everything you need to know about vaping and tobacco harm reduction advocacy.

Follow World Vapers' Alliance and stay tuned for the next episode:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vapers_alliance

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vapers_alliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WVAlliance

Bulgaria is at a crossroads. With the highest smoking rate in the EU at 37%, the country is now considering a total ban on vaping products—a decision that could have catastrophic consequences for public health.

In this episode of Vaping Unplugged, we dive into the alarming situation in Bulgaria and the fight to stop this misguided prohibition. We’ve launched the "Stop The Ban" campaign to educate policymakers and the public on the life-saving potential of vaping. Prohibition has never worked, and this ban risks pushing smokers and vapers back to deadly cigarettes or dangerous black-market alternatives.

Joining us is Elina Ivanova-Atanassov, a devoted vaping activist who has been on the frontlines of this battle. She shares insights into the political climate, the myths driving this ban, and what we can do to defend harm reduction and fight for our right to safer alternatives.

This is Vaping Unplugged Podcast with the World Vapers' Alliance - Everything you need to know about vaping and tobacco harm reduction advocacy.

Follow World Vapers' Alliance and stay tuned for the next episode:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vapers_alliance

Instagram: https://instagram.com/vapers_alliance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

WVAlliance