"They give bad habits to young people': France to ban disposable vapes in anti-smoking drive
The Guardian|September 04, 2023
Disposable vapes are to be banned in France as part of a national strategy to combat smoking, the country's prime minister announced yesterday.
Lisa O'Carroll
"They give bad habits to young people': France to ban disposable vapes in anti-smoking drive

Élisabeth Borne said e-cigarettes gave "bad habits to young people" and the government would "soon present a new national plan to fight smoking with, in particular, the prohibition of disposable electronic cigarettes".

The French government is putting the final touches to its 2024 budget with a wider plan to reduce smoking, which Borne said was the cause of 75,000 deaths a year in the country.

She told the broadcaster RTL the strategy would not include another tax rise on cigarettes, adding: "But that does not mean we are not vigilant about tobacco consumption."

Borne said her main concern was disposable vapes, known as "puffs" in France, which she described as a gateway to smoking.

She said e-cigarettes with flavours such as ice candy, marshmallow and bubblegum - reminiscent of childhood sweets and priced at €8 to €12 (£7 to £10) for 500 "puffs" - were targeting teenagers.

France's former health minister François Braun previously said that, although Emmanuel Macron's government had no parliamentary majority, ministers would "work with lawmakers" to reach a deal. He said a ban could be made law "before the end of this year".

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