French National Assembly Unanimously Passes Bill to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes
On December 4th, the French National Assembly unanimously approved a bill aimed at banning disposable e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as “puffs,” as reported by Ouest-France. This crucial step will now set the stage for the bill to be presented to the French Senate and subsequently gain approval from the European Commission. If successful, the government aims to finalize the prohibition process by the end of summer 2024.
Disposable e-cigarettes, a popular choice among young adults, have become a cause for concern due to their growing popularity. These products contain varying nicotine levels, ranging from 0 to 20 milligrams per milliliter, which has sparked criticism from the French Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau. He argues that these devices contribute to a “severe dependency” issue, particularly among minors.
The passage of this bipartisan legislative proposal received unanimous support from all 104 members of the French National Assembly. The bill was introduced by Francesca Pasquini, a representative of the Ecology Party, and Michel Lauzzana, a member of the Renaissance Party. It garnered backing from all political factions, underlining the significance of addressing this pressing matter.
Citing concerns for child and adolescent welfare, the French National Academy of Medicine has labeled disposable e-cigarettes (“puffs”) as a “trap for children and adolescents,” according to Michel Lauzana from the Renaissance Party.
Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau further emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating that “one out of every ten teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16 has already experimented with smoking.”
