The French Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT) has published new data revealing a stark contrast in youth vaping habits across the country. While traditional smoking continues to plummet across all age groups, vaping is rapidly rising among French high schoolers, signaling a shift toward e-cigarettes as a primary nicotine source rather than a smoking substitute.
According to the EnCLASS 2024 survey, which tracks usage trends from 2014 to 2024, the demographic profile of the average young vaper is shifting older. High school girls now show higher experimentation rates (48.7%) than boys (43.2%).
The most alarming disparities emerge when comparing general education paths to vocational programs. The data indicates that vocational students are adopting vaping at a vastly accelerated rate.
| Student Category | Past Experimentation (2014/2015) | 2024 Experimentation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Schoolers | 26.8% (2014) | 19.0% |
| High Schoolers (Overall) | 35.1% (2015) | 46.0% |
| General & Tech High Schools | 34.2% (2015) | 41.5% |
| Vocational High Schools | 36.8% (2015) | 58.7% |
Daily vaping habits mirror this educational divide. Between 2018 and 2024, daily use among all high schoolers increased from 2.8% to 6.8%. However, daily use in vocational schools reached 11.1%, more than double the 5.3% rate seen in general high schools.
The OFDT report also highlights a critical transition: vaping is becoming an exclusive habit. The percentage of high schoolers who vape daily but do not smoke rose from 0.8% in 2018 to 4.0% in 2024. Conversely, daily exclusive smoking plummeted from 15.5% to just 2.9% in the same period.
Furthermore, teens who experiment with both products are increasingly trying e-cigarettes first (39.6% in 2024, up from 28.9% in 2018). The OFDT notes this indicates vaping is driven by youth-targeted marketing rather than a desire to quit traditional cigarettes.
Disposable vapes, or "puffs," played a massive role in these figures prior to their nationwide ban in February 2025. In 2024, 87.5% of middle school vapers and 85.5% of high school vapers had used a disposable device, cementing their status as the primary gateway to youth vaping in France.
Vape Industry Content Creator | Product Reviewer | Harm Reduction Advocate
Alex Chen is a professional vape content creator with a strong focus on product education, industry trends, and harm reduction. With years of hands-on experience testing disposable vapes, pod systems, and e-liquids, Alex provides clear, unbiased insights to help adult consumers make informed decisions.
