France has taken a significant step toward banning disposable electronic cigarettes. The National Assembly has unanimously approved the prohibition of the sale and manufacturing of these highly addictive devices, recognizing the risks they pose to both health and the environment.
Although the bill must still go through the Senate and receive approval from the European Commission, the aim is for it to take effect by September 2024 at the latest.
Surge in E-cigarette Use
The use of electronic cigarettes has surged in recent years, especially among the younger population. The French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Trends highlights in its latest report that daily use has tripled among 17-year-old teenagers between 2017 and 2022.
While the study doesn’t include data on disposable devices, French Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau recently criticized their potential to lead to strong tobacco dependence. He emphasized that the marketing surrounding these products is particularly targeting the youth.
Anti-Smoking Plan
In late November, the minister unveiled a new anti-smoking plan, intending to expand smoke-free spaces and impose significant increases in cigarette prices. The prohibition of disposable devices, considered a “health and environmental aberration,” aligns with this plan. Disposable devices contain nicotine levels ranging from 0 to 20 mg/ml.
Legislative Advocacy
Ecologist MP Francesca Pasquini, co-sponsor of the bill alongside Michel Lauzzana from the Macronist Renaissance party, denounced on Monday the “ridiculously low” price of these cigarettes (ranging from 5 to 15 euros for around 500 puffs) and the allure of their “fruity and sweet” aromas.
She also pointed out that the device’s discreet nature makes them go unnoticed by parents.
Health Concerns and Influencer Marketing
In a report published this year, the National Academy of Medicine warned that these devices constituted a real “trap” for children and teenagers. Their success can be attributed to the “strong promotion” on social media, “especially through influencers and even websites (dedicated to their sale) that are now prohibited.”
Broad Political Support
The bill has received favorable responses from all political groups and was approved by the 104 present deputies. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne had already called for its prohibition in September. In France, these devices are commonly known as “puffs.”
Environmental Impact: Plastic Materials and Lithium Batteries
Electronic cigarettes entered the French market in 2021 and are easily accessible, sold not only in tobacco shops but also in newsstands and various stores. The MPs behind the bill have emphasized the environmental danger posed by these disposable devices. Manufactured with plastic materials and containing a small lithium battery, they should be disposed of in specific waste bins.
The ecologist MP underscored that very few sellers promote their proper recycling and collection. She criticized, “These products with a soldered lithium battery are practically impossible to recycle for professionals.” The UK NGO Material Focus has warned that in the UK alone, five million of these devices are thrown away each week, with only 17% of users recycling them.
Legislative Process and European Coordination
The bill will now proceed to the Senate, likely in the first half of 2024, and requires approval from the European Commission. The Commission will have six months to examine its conformity with European legislation. This coordination at the European level is crucial for goods and services circulating freely in the common market.
France is not the only country crusading against these devices, as several European neighbors are considering similar measures. On a broader scale, some countries have already banned electronic cigarettes, including India in 2019 and more recently, Mexico, where the government decreed a ban in May 2022.
In Latin America, Argentina, Brazil, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, and Venezuela have also prohibited their use and commercialization, according to the World Health Organization.
Original source: This information was Initially covered by elpais and has been translated for our readers.
