French Parliament Backs Proposal to Ban Vapes

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Facts

  • France's National Assembly has unanimously voted to approve a bill to ban disposable vapes. The legislation is reportedly an attempt to protect young people drawn to the product's flavors, and to reduce the environmental impact of the single-use products.1
  • Lawmakers adopted the bill in a late-night vote on Monday. It is yet to move to the Senate, where it is widely expected to be adopted. The ban may come into effect as early as September 2024.2
  • Disposable e-cigarettes are small devices that vaporize nicotine and come in various flavorings. The devices differ from reusable vaping devices because they are not designed to be refilled or recharged, and their components often end up in landfill.3
  • Disposable e-cigarettes, often called 'puffs,' have gained popularity among young people for their inexpensive price, sugary and fruity flavors, and high nicotine levels.4
  • According to the Alliance Against Tobacco, 15% of French young people aged 13-16 have tried 'puffs' at least once, and most survey respondents said that they started using the products at around the age of 11 or 12.4
  • Australia has already voted for restrictions against disposable vapes — the UK, Ireland, and Germany are all reportedly considering similar measures.3

Sources: 1The Herald, 2CTV News, 3PBS NewsHour and 4Republic World.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Guardian. The French Parliament's approval of a ban on disposable vapes is an encouraging development. The products have detrimental effects on children and the environment, and are a dangerous gateway into serious addiction. This ban will help cut down on the number of young vapers in France, as well as reduce the environmental impact of these disposable devices.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Institute of Economic Affairs. Vaping is a safer choice than smoking cigarettes. It is already illegal to sell vapes to people under the age of 18, so banning disposable vapes would do nothing but take away this safer option from millions of adult smokers. A better legislative decision would be to crack down on existing restrictions and encourage responsible recycling of the lithium batteries inside of the devices.