France's disposal vape ban is now supported by the French parliament as numerous government officials condemn the use of these single-use electronic cigarettes as they believe they encourage bad habits in teenagers.
A man smokes an e-cigarette as he walks along the "Promenade des anglais" on the French Riviera city of Nice, on February 3, 2022.
The National Assembly of the French Parliament voted unanimously on Monday, Dec. 4, in favor of the proposed disposable vape ban. However, this bill can't move forward without the approval of the upper house senate.
Aside from this, the anti-disposable vape bill should also get clearance from the EU Commission. Here's why many French officials back the single-use e-cigarettes.
France's Disposable Vape Ban Backed by French Parliament
According to The Guardian's latest report, disposable vapes in France are known as "puffs." These affordable pre-filled single-use e-cigarettes are pretty popular among young residents.
Puffs come in many flavors that can attract lots of young users. However, they don't know that these disposable vapes still contain a high amount of nicotine.
One of France's officials who want to ban disposable e-cigarettes is French Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau, who said that single-use vapes open a pathway to serious addictions. French MP Francesca Pasquini also said that she is against disposable vapes.
"They're ridiculously cheap, the fruity and sugary flavors are attractive, and their small size makes them easy to hide from parents," explained Pasquini via BBC News.
Michel Lauzzana, the French politician who co-sponsored the bill, said that disposable vapes qualify under France's National Academy of Medicine since it is considered a "sneaky trap" for children and teenagers.
As of writing, all 104 members of the parliament supported the disposable vape ban. Aside from them, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne also backed the proposed bill.
Read Also: Disposable Vapes 'Out of Control', Ministers to Ban Underage Use
Dangers Posed by Disposable Vapes
A picture shows boxes of "puffs" disposable electronic cigarettes displayed on a table at La Vapotitheque store in Bethune, northern France, on May 25, 2022. The "puffs" disposable electronic cigarettes, with their tangy or fruity flavours a sold at around 8 and 12 euros at tobacconists.
Disposable vapes are marketed by manufacturers as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. They usually claim that, unlike cigarettes, single-use vaping products don't harm people's lungs.
However, little do vapers know that disposable vapes also have risks that can greatly affect their health. Health experts warned that vapes still contain hazardous materials (lithium-ion batteries and circuitry) and toxic chemicals.
These can harm people's health in the long run. Aside from users, the environment is also at risk since single-use vapes are very hard to recycle.
If they are not properly disposed of, their harmful chemicals and materials can leach into the water and soil, which can contaminate ecosystems.
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