France: Law banning disposable electronic cigarettes adopted unanimously

The National Assembly unanimously adopted at first reading on Monday, December 4, 2023, a bill aimed at banning “single-use or disposable” electronic cigarettes. This text must now be adopted by the Senate, then the regulatory implementing texts drawn up; the overall system should be notified to the European Commission.

Six days later the publication of the National Tobacco Control Program (PNLT), one of its flagship measures was presented under an accelerated procedure to the National Assembly on Monday, December 4, 2023. Submitted in November 2022 by Green MP Francesca Pasquini and jointly supported by Michel Lauzzana (Renaissance), this bill plans to ban “single-use or disposable” electronic cigarettes and expressly targets disposable electronic cigarettes (“puffs”).

It was adopted unanimously by the 104 deputies present and, subject to its final adoption, should be applicable around September 2024.[1]The text must in fact pass through the Senate before returning to the Assembly, to then be submitted – or in parallel – to the European Commission. The text also provides for regulatory provisions for its practical implementation.

Vigilance to be maintained

Anti-smoking associations have been calling for this ban for a year. While they welcome the adoption of the law banning puffs, they remain vigilant and await the publication of the implementing decree to prevent the circumventions already anticipated by manufacturers with new generations of puffs. Some are already on the French market, others have been spotted on other markets abroad, such as devices offering a large number of puffs and refillable cartridges, but in an extremely limited way and disposable very quickly.

Similar projects in other European countries

In addition to countries that have already banned all e-cigarettes, several European countries are considering banning puffs specifically. Belgium And Ireland are currently preparing similar ban plans, Bavaria has called on Germany to ban it throughout Europe. Belgium is the most advanced country in Europe in this regard, having already contacted the European Commission, which has asked it to exclude the environmental issue from its draft law.

Available in a wide range of fruity and sweet flavors, disposable e-cigarettes appeared in Europe at the end of 2021 and were immediately popular with young adults and adolescents. The rapid increase in the prevalence of puff use among adolescents and children has alerted health authorities in many countries. A gateway effect to tobacco products is particularly feared. The high concentration of nicotine in puffs (from 0 to 20 mg/ml, compared to 1 to 3 mg for a conventional cigarette) facilitates the initiation and establishment of nicotine addiction among young non-smokers. The environmental impact The disposal of disposable e-cigarette waste, including batteries and e-liquid residue, has also been highlighted as an aberration.

Keywords: disposable e-cigarettes, puffs, pods, vaping

M.F.

[1] National Assembly votes to ban puffs, Le Monde/AFP, published on December 5, 2023, consulted the same day.