The European Commission has given France the green light to ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes, known as "puffs".
This decision marks a significant step forward in efforts to combat nicotine consumption, particularly among young people. The bill had already been adopted in France in March 2024, and this European green light was the last step before the application of the measure.
The ban is motivated by several reasons. On the one hand, the French authorities, supported by the European Commission, denounce the health impact of these devices, stressing that puffs are often marketed with fruity flavors and colorful packaging to attract teenagers.
In addition, these disposable e-cigarettes are sold at attractive prices, sometimes much lower than those of traditional cigarettes, which increases their accessibility for young audiences. Finally, environmental concerns have also been raised, particularly regarding the management of waste related to microplastics and lithium batteries present in these products.
The Commission described this prohibition of “justified, necessary and proportionate”, specifying that this measure only concerns puffs and not other forms of rechargeable electronic cigarettes which will remain available in France.
The law could come into force by the end of 2024, definitively ending the sale of these devices on the French market.
