French Polynesia wants to ban e-cigarettes from 2026

The Assembly of French Polynesia has voted, by a large majority, to completely ban the importation and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping products as of July 1, 2026. This unprecedented measure in France and its territories illustrates the global trend towards strengthening regulations to protect young people in the face of the rise of vaping.[1].

A strong decision to protect young people

The fight against tobacco has reached a new milestone in French Polynesia. Local elected officials have adopted an amendment providing for a complete ban on electronic cigarettes and accessories such as e-liquids, a measure unprecedented in French territory. Proposed by the pro-autonomy opposition and supported by the pro-independence majority, this overwhelming vote (51 votes in favor, 5 against, 1 abstention) reflects a clear political will: to reduce the appeal of vaping products and limit their availability, particularly for younger generations.

Polynesian health authorities have been warning for several years about the rapid spread of these products among adolescents, particularly puffs, with their sweet and fruity flavors, which have sparked a similar craze to that observed in France. Added to this is a specific local concern: some devices are being diverted for the consumption of other drugs, such as methamphetamine ("ice"). This trend has reinforced the argument in favor of a strict ban, seen as a way to curb initiation and prevent new forms of addiction.

For Polynesian elected officials, the choice of a total ban rather than progressive regulation responds to a logic of prevention. While the long-term health effects of vaping remain partially documented, the challenge is to limit the emergence of a new generation addicted to nicotine and exposed to lasting health risks. By highlighting the protection of young people as an absolute priority, the Territorial Assembly is sending a strong signal: in the debate between public health and economic interests, the former must prevail, indicated Ernest Teagai, representative of Tavini (Polynesian Liberation Front).[2].

An uncertain legal framework

While the vote by the French Polynesian Assembly marks a political turning point, its implementation remains legally fragile. The territory's president, Moetai Brotherson, himself warned that the blanket ban on e-cigarettes and their derivatives will almost certainly be appealed because it undermines freedom of trade and industry. This infringement of these freedoms and the proportionality of the measure will be examined in light of the public health issues being addressed.

In practice, however, any absolute ban on a product legally available in France can be challenged before the administrative courts, on the grounds that it exceeds what is strictly necessary to achieve the public health objective pursued. The economic actors concerned – importers, distributors or trade associations – therefore have the possibility of bringing the matter before the courts to have the amendment suspended or annulled.

French Polynesia's unique institutional status adds further complexity. Although the territory enjoys enhanced autonomy in matters of public health and local regulation, decisions must remain compatible with the principles of common law applicable throughout the national territory. This balancing act between local autonomy and the French constitutional framework could make this ban a textbook case, closely monitored by legal experts and health professionals alike.

Despite these uncertainties, the vote's impact remains strong. Even if the measure were to be invalidated, it highlights a political will to test the limits of current law in order to better regulate, or even eliminate, the availability of vaping products. It also opens the debate on the possibility for overseas territories and communities to go further than the regulations of mainland France when they believe that public health issues require it.

An international dynamic for controlling vaping

French Polynesia's decision is part of a global trend in which more and more states and territories are adopting restrictive measures in response to the rise of vaping. While approaches differ, the common thread remains the desire to protect younger generations, who are particularly exposed to highly flavored and nicotine-laced products. These decisions, although often contested by industry leaders, reflect the growing importance of precautionary thinking in the face of products whose long-term health effects remain uncertain but whose appeal to young people is proven.

This dynamic is also reflected at the regional and international levels. The European Union is currently discussing strengthening the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which could include new measures on e-cigarettes, particularly regarding flavors and packaging. For its part, the World Health Organization (WHO), through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), encourages states to apply regulations to vaping products similar to those imposed on tobacco products, with priority given to the protection of children and young people.

In this context, French Polynesia appears to be a pioneering territory within the French and European space, choosing the most restrictive path. Even if the adopted measure remains legally fragile, it illustrates a global trend: more and more governments are prioritizing anticipation and prevention, rather than waiting for definitive proof, to limit the impact of vaping on public health.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE

[1] Caroline Perdrix, The assembly goes further than the government and bans vaping », Radio 1, published August 29, 2025, accessed September 4, 2025

[2] Assembly votes to ban “vapes” and vaping products, Tahiti Infos, published August 29, 2025, consulted September 4, 2025