French consumer vaping organization SOVAPE, known for organizing three Vape Summits in France between 2016 and 2019 and co-founding the European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) umbrella group, announced this week that it will dissolve after being active since 2016. The decision comes in the wake of several recent challenges faced by the organization.
Market Research Firm Cancels Annual Survey Due to Client Conflict
One of the major blows to SOVAPE came when market research firm BVA, which had conducted annual surveys of French public opinion on vaping and nicotine for the group since 2019, abruptly notified SOVAPE that it could no longer participate. BVA cited a health industry client's contract that prohibited the firm from working with nicotine-associated organizations.
Accusations and Attacks on Supporters Further Undermine SOVAPE's Mission
In addition to the survey cancellation, SOVAPE faced news articles accusing the group and other consumer organizations of connections to the tobacco industry. Scientists and health professionals who supported SOVAPE's mission also came under attack.
In an October 6 website post, SOVAPE explained that the current climate of "censorship, threats, lies, denigration and slander, to which can be added the dissemination of fake news and the denial of scientific data" has made it impossible for the organization to continue carrying out its mission.
SOVAPE to Donate Remaining Funds and Maintain Online Presence
SOVAPE will donate its remaining funds in equal parts to the Pasteur Institute and fellow vaping groups AIDUCE and La Vape du Cœur. The organization has paid to keep its website available for 10 years and will maintain videos of Vape Summit proceedings on its YouTube channel.
"We regret that we are no longer able to cultivate a dialogue to promote the risk reduction approach against the main cause of preventable diseases and premature deaths in France," SOVAPE said in its post. "We do not regret having tried, but must acknowledge that it is no longer possible for us to lead this fight that is dear to us, and which has nevertheless contributed to saving lives!"
As SOVAPE prepares to close its doors, the organization's dissolution highlights the challenges faced by advocates of tobacco harm reduction in an increasingly hostile environment.
