France is inching closer to a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, with lawmakers last week reaching an agreement on a Bill proposing prohibition of sales of the devices by the end of 2024.
The devices can contain as much as 20 mg/mL of nicotine salts, the highest rate allowed in the European Union, reports Medscape. They deliver around 600 puffs per device (equivalent to about two packets of cigarettes) and are discarded once depleted.
Attractively priced and available in a number of fruity and sweet flavours, the vapes specifically target young people, says the National Committee Against Tobacco.
Although sale to minors is prohibited, 86% of young vapers surveyed reported never having been refused a sale of an e-cigarette in the past 12 months at a tobacconist, and 80% reported never having been refused at specialised stores.
The devices are also an environmental problem, containing batteries made of heavy metals, electronic circuits, plastic, and residues of liquids and nicotine that pollute waterways, wildlife and flora.
In 2022, Deputy of the French National Assembly Francesca Pasquini had introduced a Bill that went on to be unanimously co-signed by 168 deputies from a joint committee representing eight political groups in December last year.
It gained more support in the Senate in early February. Only the approval of the European Commission is now missing for the devices to finally be banned in France.
Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said the ban could be in effect before the end of this year.
Medscape article – France May Soon Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes (Open access)
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