France Bans Disposable Vapes as New Nicotine Products Flood Market
Franceâs Parliament will finalize a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (“vapes”) this week, closing a two-year legislative process delayed by EU notifications and political shifts. The move targets colorful, low-cost vapes accused of addicting youth through sugary flavors and plastic waste. Health advocates warn, however, that nicotine pouches and candy-like nicotine pearls now dominate the market, demanding urgent regulatory action.
âWe celebrate this ban, but itâs just the first step,â said Prof. LoĂŻc Josseran, President of Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT). âThese products are gateways to nicotine dependency for minors.â
Despite unanimous parliamentary support, the ban faced delays due to EU notification requirements and Franceâs 2023 government dissolution. Belgium outlawed “vapes” faster, notes Josseran, highlighting Franceâs âunnecessary bureaucratic sluggishness.â The law takes effect immediately after promulgation.
While “vapes” fade, nicotine pouches (oral sachets) and dissolvable nicotine âpearlsâ now target French consumers. Marketed by tobacco giants like BAT, these products bypass current regulations. âTheyâre not cessation toolsâtheyâre addictive and unsafe,â Josseran warned.
Health Minister Yannick Neuder plans to ban nicotine pouches next, despite pushback from the Council of State, which argues existing prescription rules should apply. BAT France criticized the approach, claiming prohibition âdrives users to illicit marketsâ and advocating strict regulation instead.
MP Cyrille Isaac-Sibille (MoDem) urges pre-market authorization for all nicotine products to prevent future loopholes. âWe must act proactively, not reactively,â he said. Josseran supports the measure, noting it would âprevent endless debates over each new product.â
Tobacco firms like BAT argue for âstrict oversightâ rather than bans, emphasizing product safety and traceability. Critics counter that the industry prioritizes profit over public health. âTheir goal isnât a tobacco-free generationâitâs creating lifelong customers,â Josseran stated.
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