French Health Minister François Braun announced a groundbreaking initiative to allow pharmacists to prescribe electronic cigarettes as nicotine replacement therapy. This strategic move aims to expand smoking cessation options while maintaining strict control over disposable vapes.
Speaking to RTL, Minister Braun emphasized the clear distinction between therapeutic e-cigarettes and disposable "puffs." He explained that traditional e-cigarettes enable users to gradually reduce nicotine consumption, while colorful disposable puffs attract young people to tobacco use. The new prescription authority explicitly excludes these disposable devices.
The government plans to include potential reimbursement discussions in their upcoming 2023-2028 anti-tobacco strategy. Braun also revealed plans to standardize taxation across all tobacco products, including heated tobacco and chewing tobacco, matching current cigarette packet rates.
This initiative comes as French lawmakers prepare to vote on banning disposable vapes after the summer break. The Minister maintains that puffs offer no legitimate smoking cessation benefits and instead pose risks to youth health.
