France to Ban Disposable Vapes

What's the story?

• French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced that disposable vapes will be banned under the country's new anti-smoking plan to stop "giving bad habits to young people."
• Former Minister of Health and Prevention, François Braun, said the law could be enacted "before the end of this year."

Why vapes?

• The plan targets smoking more broadly, which kills over 75,000 people a year in the country, but contains measures specific to vapes, as they have become ubiquitous among young people. Borne said that smoking vapes is "a reflex and a gesture that young people get used to. That's how they get into smoking."
• Disposable vapes are targeted at youth with sweet, candy-like flavors. They retail between $8.70 and $13 USD in France.

International response

• The ban was inspired by similar measures enacted in Germany, Australia, and New Zealand amid growing concern over the long-term health effects of vaping.
• A national consultation on prohibition is being explored in Ireland, and Belgium has banned the online sales of vapes.
• Irish researchers demonstrated that teenagers who vape are up to five times more likely to start smoking compared with those who do not.
• Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said:

"Vaping was sold to governments and communities around the world as a therapeutic product to help long-term smokers quit. It was not sold as a recreational product – in particular not one for our kids. But that is what it has become – the biggest loophole in Australian history."

Should the U.S. do the same?

-Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)