France to instate ban on electronic cigarettes
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Smoking reportedly causes 75,000 deaths annually in France.
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A woman exhales while vaping from a pen e-cigarette, April 16, 2019 (AP)
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.
Braun stated that even if the administration of President Emmanuel Macron lacks a majority in parliament, its ministers will "work with lawmakers" to come to an agreement on a ban.
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."
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