France to ban 'despicable' disposable e-cigarettes Headline News
France's parliament has backed a proposal to ban single-use e-cigarettes, which are considered a gateway to tobacco addiction for teenagers and harmful to the environment.
The National Assembly voted unanimously in favor of the move late on Monday, but it still requires support from France's upper house of parliament and approval from the European Commission.
Prefilled, disposable e-cigarettes known as “puffs” are popular among young people, have a high nicotine content, come in a variety of flavors, and are inexpensive.
“They pave the way to serious addiction,” said Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau.
Deputy Francesca Pasquini, who introduced the bill last November, said: “It's amazingly cheap, its fruity, sweet flavor is appealing, and its small size makes it easy to hide from parents.”
Co-sponsor Michel Lausana said the French National Academy of Medicine has recognized puffing as a “sneaky trap, especially for children and teenagers.”
The motion, which was voted on by all 104 MPs present, has the backing of Prime Minister Elisabeth Born, who called for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes in September.
The vote on the bill was unanimous, but far-left lawmaker Rachel Keke called on the government to “set an example”, pointing to Born, who is often seen smoking during parliamentary debates. It appears to be a statement.
– “Environmental disaster” –
Lawmakers also deplored the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes, which Rousseau called an “environmental disaster.”
Paschini said it had a high content of plastic and lithium, required large amounts of oil and water to manufacture, and that it was extracted “all over the world in deplorable conditions.”
The bill is part of the government's wider anti-smoking campaign and will now be submitted to the House of Lords for approval.
In that case, a green light from the European Commission would be required. The European Commission will decide, inter alia, whether a ban would be a “proportionate” response to the issue.
The government said it expects the ban to come into force by September 2024 if the process goes well.
France's move against puffs, introduced in France two years ago, follows similar efforts in Germany and Ireland.
Deputy Karl Olive said tobacco use was the main cause of 75,000 avoidable deaths in France each year.
“These are not just statistics,” he said. “They are first names, lives, families destroyed and grieving.”
The movement against e-cigarettes is part of France's broader anti-smoking campaign.
Last month, the government announced a ban on smoking on beaches, parks and forests, and near schools nationwide.
The tax on cigarettes is currently about 11 euros (about $12) per pack of 20 cigarettes, but it will rise to 12 euros by 2025 and 13 euros the following year.
According to a promise made by President Emmanuel Macron in 2021, the government aims to create “the first tobacco-free generation by 2032”.
Source: guardian.ng