Read articles from France

July 04, 2025 by cnn.com

France has implemented a ban on smoking in all outdoor areas frequented by children, with fines of up to 135 euros for violators. Despite efforts to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032, some citizens feel the restrictions encroach on personal freedoms. Smoking rates in France are declining, but the country still faces challenges with illicit tobacco consumption. The government aims to protect youth and combat smoking despite resistance from tobacco industry lobbying. The new regulations do not currently ban e-cigarettes but include restrictions on ingredients. The ultimate goal is to reduce tobacco use and its harmful effects, with future steps possibly including further restrictions on smoking.

July 03, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

BAT France welcomed the new AFNOR experimental standard XP V37-500, ensuring safety, quality, and transparency of nicotine pouches by setting strict guidelines. Developed with industry experts, it covers key areas like product composition (natural nicotine capped at 16.6 mg), manufacturing (GMP and traceability), toxicological evaluation, packaging (complying with European standards), and labeling (nicotine content, ingredients, allergens, warnings). Sébastien Charbonneau, BAT France's public affairs director, praised the standard as providing quality assurance and transparency for adult consumers in professional networks.

July 03, 2025 by 2firsts.com

French Standardization Association AFNOR released XP V37-500, a new standard for nicotine pouches in France, allowing only specific ingredients and ≤16.6mg nicotine per pouch. It mandates GMP production, traceability, toxicity assessment, tamper-proof packaging, and ingredient labeling. AFNOR's role ensures national standardization compliance. The standard aligns with UK and Sweden regulations to combat illegal products and protect consumers. BAT France welcomes the standard, emphasizing industry progression and self-regulation efforts to safeguard adult smokers.

June 10, 2025 by europeaninterest.eu

France's anti-tobacco policy, with high taxes and bans on safer quitting tools, is ineffective. Around 75,000 people annually die due to tobacco, costing €150 billion. The policy lacks public trust, pushing 1 in 4 French to buy cigarettes illegally. This distrust stems from taxes seen as money grabs. France needs harm reduction programs, truthful messaging, and evaluation beyond tax gains. Hoekstra's EU-wide tax proposal risks expanding failed policies. Sensible changes are necessary to combat smoking effectively. France must shift from punitive measures to supportive strategies promoting healthier choices for smokers.

May 28, 2025 by thesun.co.uk

Carrying nicotine pouches in France can now lead to five years in jail and a £320,000 fine, stricter penalties than for heroin possession. The law change makes France the toughest European country on pouch control, causing concerns for British tourists. Law experts and campaigners criticize the disproportionate punishments, which affect even athletes and tourists unwittingly breaking the law. Other EU nations have imposed restrictions on pouches, but France's criminalization for personal use is unprecedented. Despite evidence of pouches' safety, the ban has taken effect, contrasting with harm reduction strategies in other countries like Sweden. The law's enforcement challenges and potential for a black market have raised further criticisms.

March 19, 2025 by gfn.tv

In the wake of a major vaping regulation overhaul in France, Claude Bamberger joins us to uncover the extent of the new disposable vape ban and where this leaves people who want to quit smoking.

March 12, 2025 by euronews.com

A French anti-tobacco group's report criticizes over 200 influencers for promoting nicotine products online in violation of French law since 2019. The report calls for stricter penalties and highlights the tobacco industry's efforts to target young people. Despite advertising bans, social media posts endorsing nicotine products persist. The influencers, with 1,000 to 20,000 followers, subtly advertise these products through events and competitions. The director of the group condemns the industry's actions, aiming to attract youth and create nicotine addiction. France aims to reduce smoking rates with regulations and price increases. Government response to these findings is pending.

February 28, 2025 by filtermag.org

France banned disposable vapes, following Belgium, to reduce youth vaping and pollution. The law includes nicotine pouches, sparking controversy among harm reduction advocates. Proponents argue that disposables help marginalized groups quit smoking, criticizing the decision for lacking scientific basis. The ban could push ex-smokers back to tobacco due to limited alternatives. France's move aligns with EU anti-tobacco harm reduction trends, with other countries also restricting vaping products. Critics worry about the impact on smoking cessation efforts and public health in France, questioning the authorities' motives. The ban ignores the success of harm reduction methods in other countries and risks undermining progress.

February 27, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

France, after banning disposable e-cigarettes, informed the European Commission of its upcoming ban on nicotine pouch sales, following other countries like Austria, Belgium, and Germany. The move was prompted by concerns over new tobacco products' impact, leading to regulatory action. The European nicotine pouch market is projected to grow to €1.06 billion by 2030. Despite being unregulated by the EU due to their lack of tobacco, discussions on taxing these products and revising the Tobacco Products Directive may take place under the Polish Presidency Council.

February 26, 2025 by euractiv.com

France has notified the European Commission of its decision to ban nicotine pouches, joining countries like Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg in restricting these products. While still unregulated at the EU level, France's move follows its recent ban on disposable e-cigarettes. Regulators have been monitoring the industry, and growing health concerns prompted government action. A loophole in the 2014 Tobacco Products Directive allowed tobacco-free nicotine pouches to evade regulation, which major tobacco companies have exploited by heavily investing in these products.