The French parliament has voted unanimously to ban single-use diposable e-cigarettes. The move is an attempt to protect young people drawn to their flavours, and to mitigate the environmental impact of the disposable products, known in France as “puffs”.
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.
Legislators adopted the bill in a late-night vote on Monday with 104 in favour, 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.
Disposable e-cigarettes differ from reusable vaping devices in that they are not designed to be refilled or recharged. Their small, non-rechargeable lithium batteries often end up in landfills. In the UK, a study last year by the environmental organisation Material Focus found that more than one million devices were being thrown out every week.
New Zealand and Australia have already implemented restrictions, with the former mandating lower nicotine levels and restrictions on vape shop locations near schools. Three years ago, the US food and drug administration cracked down on flavoured reusable e-cigarettes like Juul.
The UK, Ireland, and Germany are considering similar measure
