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French lawmakers have reached a landmark agreement on Thursday, March 21, paving the way for the prohibition of disposable e-cigarettes by the end of 2024. These disposable vaping devices, marketed under brands such as Puff or Vaze, have drawn criticism for their appeal to young people and potential health and environmental hazards.
The disposable e-cigarettes, widely promoted on social media platforms, have gained popularity among young users. These ready-to-use devices contain high levels of nicotine salts, delivering approximately 600 puffs per device, equivalent to about two packs of cigarettes. They are available in a variety of fruity and sweet flavors, specifically targeting younger demographics.
Despite regulations prohibiting the sale of these devices to minors, a survey conducted by the National Committee Against Tobacco revealed alarming statistics. Eighty-six percent of young vapers reported never being refused a sale of an e-cigarette at tobacco shops, while 80% reported similar experiences at specialized stores.
Critics argue that these devices serve as a gateway to smoking for teenagers and contribute to nicotine addiction, potentially affecting neurological development in young users. Furthermore, the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes is a growing concern, as they contain batteries, plastic, and nicotine residues that pose risks to waterways and wildlife.
The bill proposing the ban on disposable e-cigarettes gained widespread support across political lines. Introduced by Deputy Francesca Pasquini in November 2022, the bill garnered unanimous approval in the National Assembly in December 2023 and received support in the Senate in February 2024.
“With a finalized text, the subject of consensus between the two chambers, only the approval of the European Commission is now missing for Puffs to finally be banned in France,” stated Pasquini.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin has announced immediate efforts to engage with the European Commission. If the Commission’s response mirrors that sent to Belgium, the ban could come into effect before the end of 2024.
The move to ban disposable e-cigarettes underscores France’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment from the adverse effects of vaping products.
This story was translated from the Medscape French edition using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
