France to ban disposable e-cigarettes, PM says
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said the government is working on a bill to ban disposable e-cigarettes.
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A man displays his Juul electronic cigarette while shopping at a convenience store in Hoboken, N.J., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (AP)
France plans to ban disposable electronic cigarettes, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced on radio station RTL on Sunday.
“It’s an important public health issue,” said Borne, adding that the government is drawing up plans for a national program to fight tobacco use that she said was responsible for 75,000 deaths a year in France.
Additionally, she pointed out that so-called "puff" devices are fostering habits among young individuals that can ultimately lead to tobacco addiction.
Despite an increase in tobacco taxes this year, the government does not intend to raise them further in the coming year, as confirmed by the prime minister.
French President Emmanuel Macron laid out ambitious plans in 2021 to address issues related to tobacco and alcohol, including the expansion of smoking-free areas and the goal of ensuring that all 20-year-olds in France are tobacco-free by 2030.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Francois Braun announced that the French government may ban disposable electronic cigarettes by the end of 2023.
"I'm in favor of a ban... they [electronic cigarettes] lead some of our young people towards using tobacco," Braun told broadcaster France Inter.
"Smoking is a scourge, it kills 75,000 people per year [in France,]" he added.
One-use electronic cigarettes with fruity and sweet flavors are marketed to youths as "puffs" in France and are available for purchase in colorful packaging for eight to twelve euros ($8.80-13.25) for 500 puffs.
According to the anti-smoking organization ACT, disposable devices are "increasingly popular on social media and have a mostly positive and harmless image among young people."
