Smoking in France
Smoking is regulated and allowed in France but there are some restrictions and regulations on tobacco. Under these regulations, the sale of cigarettes is permitted only in tobacco shops (le bureau de tabac) with a license. Purchasing cigarettes online and from vending machines is not permitted, while importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with an appropriate license. All forms of advertising of tobacco products including cigarettes are banned. Additionally, health warnings on cigarette packaging are required, the minimum legal age for purchasing them is 18 years, and there are legal restrictions on smoking in public places. Cigarettes are subject to a total taxation rate of 83.78%, and an excise tax rate of 12%. Despite these regulatory measures, in 2024, France had around 15.7 million current adult smokers, representing an adult current smoking prevalence of 28.3%. Among adult males, the current smoking prevalence was 31.5%, while among adult females it was 25.5% in 2024. Back in 2022, this prevalence was 29.2%. The adult daily smoking prevalence was 22.7% in 2023. Mortality data show that in 2021 tobacco smoking led to 54,940 deaths in the country, including 40,956 among males and 13,984 among females. Overall, smoking comprised 8.55% of all deaths in France in 2021, including 12.7% of male deaths and 4.37% of female deaths.
Read articles from France
March 25, 2024 by euractiv.com
After Belgium, France seeks Commission’s green light to ban disposable e-cigarettes
The French, parliament reached an agreement on Thursday (21 March) to ban so-called ‘puffs’, single-use electronic cigarettes. The prohibition will be expected to come into force, at the end of September, according to Green MP Francesca Pasquini, who initiated the law. The text was widely adopted by the National Assembly in December and then ratified by the French Senate in February. The final stage was to convene a joint committee, bringing together members of parliament from both chambers. The committee reached a joint text without difficulty.
December 11, 2023 by youtube.com
France's parliament considers a ban on single-use e-cigarettes
The French parliament is considering a ban on single-use, disposable electronic cigarettes that are popular with teenagers for their sweet flavors and are under scrutiny as a new source of trash.
December 11, 2023 by bbc.com
E-cigarettes: France backs bill to ban disposable vapes
The French parliament has voted unanimously to ban single-use e-cigarettes, known locally as "puffs", amid health and environmental concerns. It still needs backing from France's Senate and clearance from the EU Commission before it becomes law. If both approve the bill, the government said it hopes the ban will be effective by September 2024. Several other countries in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, and Germany are considering similar measures.
December 11, 2023 by traveltomorrow.com
France to ban vaping from September 2024
Just days after France’s Health and Prevention Minister Aurélien Rousseau announced a ban on smoking on all beaches, public parks, forests and areas surrounding schools, the French parliament has backed a proposal to ban single-use electronic cigarettes. The ‘puffs’, as they are called locally, are said to encourage smoking amongst teenagers and to present a threat to the environment. The parliament hopes the law will come into effect by September 2024, even though there are still a few steps to be taken in order for the law to be accepted.
December 08, 2023 by filtermag.org
French Parliament Unanimously Backs Disposable Vapes Ban
On December 4, the French National Assembly voted in favor of banning single-use vapes, known in France as “puffs.” The motion was backed by 104 members of the country’s lower house—with none voting against. In September, Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne described the proposed ban as part of a wider anti-smoking plan. The government would “fight against smoking with, in particular, the prohibition of disposable electronic cigarettes,” she said, “the famous ‘puffs’ which give bad habits to young people.”
December 05, 2023 by go.com
French lawmakers approve bill to ban disposable e-cigarettes to protect youth drawn to their flavors
France's National Assembly unanimously approved a bill to ban single-use, disposable electronic cigarettes, in an attempt to protect young people drawn to their flavors and mitigate the environmental impacts of the disposable products known as “puffs.” Lawmakers adopted the bill in a late-night vote on Monday by 104 in favor, zero against. The bill, supported by the government, will then move to the Senate where it is expected to be adopted as well. It could go into effect by September 2024.
November 30, 2023 by euronews.com
France unveils cigarette price hike and public spaces ban under new restrictions to tackle smoking
France's health ministry unveiled a new plan on Tuesday to tackle cigarette smoking in the country, including bans on smoking in parks and on beaches. From hiking the price of a pack of cigarettes to banning smoking in parks, France has announced a raft of new measures to reduce the number of smokers. As part of a new plan, the government will increase prices to €13 a pack in 2027, ban disposable e-cigarettes, and ban smoking in public spaces such as parks, beaches, forests and other public areas. Their aim is to create a generation "free of tobacco" by 2032.
November 29, 2023 by theguardian.com
France to ban smoking on all beaches in effort to create ‘tobacco-free generation’
France is to ban smoking on all beaches, as well as in public parks, forests and near schools, after Emmanuel Macron promised to create “the first tobacco-free generation” by 2032. “From now on, no-smoking areas will be the norm,” said the health minister, Aurélien Rousseau. There are already 7,200 tobacco-free areas in France – including in Nice, on the French Riviera, which was the first to establish a cigarette-free beach in 2012 with the approval of France’s League Against Cancer.
November 28, 2023 by thelocal.fr
France to ban smoking on beaches as part of 'anti-tobacco' plan
The French government has unveiled its new anti-smoking plan, which includes banning smoking on beaches and outside schools and hiking the price of cigarettes. France's public image is that of a smoky country and some of its biggest icons - from Serge Gainsbourg to Brigitte Bardot - are hard to picture without a cigarette in hand. In fact, smoking rates have been steadily declining in France for decades, but the government wants to help more people to quit and has launched a four-year 'plan anti-tabac'.
November 23, 2023 by ecigintelligence.com
French vapers say flavour ban may drive them to black market or back to smoking
Over 50% of French vapers would turn to the black market or buy e-cigarettes from abroad, while 25% would consider resuming cigarette smoking if a flavour ban is implemented or taxes are too high, a survey revealed. A survey named “Merci la vape” (Thank You Vaping) launched at the end of May by four French vaping consumer associations questioned e-cigarette users in the country. The recently published survey results show concern over possible vaping restrictions that have gained support from both healthcare organisations and the government.