The French Parliament is on the verge of definitively banning single-use electronic cigarettes, known as "puffs." This measure, welcomed by anti-smoking advocates, aims to protect young people from nicotine addiction and reduce the environmental impact of these products made of plastic and lithium batteries.
Legislative Process Too Slow
Despite support from successive governments, the legislative process has taken more than two years, allowing other nicotine products, such as pouches (to be placed between the lip and the gum) and nicotine pearls, to gain a foothold in the French market. Professor Loïc Josseran, president of the Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT), regrets this slow pace, noting that other countries, such as Belgium, have acted more quickly.
Towards Pre-Authorization of Nicotine Products?
Faced with the inventiveness of the tobacco industry, some parliamentarians now want nicotine-based products to be subject to prior authorization before being placed on the market. This measure would "reverse the trend" and avoid debates on each new product, according to Prof. Josseran.
The Ban on "Pouches" in Question
After "puffs," nicotine pouches could be the next products to be banned. The Minister of Health, Yannick Neuder, has confirmed his intention to issue a decree to this effect, despite an unfavorable opinion from the Council of State. Tobacco companies, such as British American Tobacco (BAT) France, oppose these "absolute bans" and prefer "strict regulation" and a system of prior authorization to ensure the safety and quality of products.
A Different Objective for the Tobacco Industry
For Prof. Josseran, the objective of the tobacco industry is not to have a tobacco-free generation by 2032, but to retain consumers by offering them a range of products for which they remain the suppliers. Public health actors are therefore calling for broader and faster action to cope
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