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Last month, the French Senate, the upper house of Parliament, approved a bill to ban all single-use disposable vapes in France on the grounds of protecting the environment and preventing young people from becoming addicted to nicotine.
In 2023, the French parliament voted unanimously to ban single-use e-cigarettes amid health and environmental concerns. After a joint Senate-National Assembly committee convened this January to resolve disagreements between the legislative bodies, the final, amended bill was put to a vote.
The amended version bans the “sale, distribution, or free offer of electronic vaping devices, pre-filled with a liquid and which cannot be refilled, whether or not they have a rechargeable battery. This prohibition does not apply to cartridges.”
Francesca Pasquini, Former Deputy of the French National Assembly and author of the bill, told Agence France-Presse (AFP): “It is a great victory in a two-pronged battle that we were fighting: an environmental battle against the polluting lithium batteries in these ‘puffs’, and a health battle for our schoolchildren.”
Deputy of the French National Assembly, Michel Lauzzana, addressed President Emmanuel Macron: “We are now awaiting the promulgation of this law and its application throughout the country.”
France Follows in Belgium’s Footsteps
France is now the second European Union country to implement a ban on the sale and distribution of single-use disposable vapes, following Belgium’s ban which took effect on January 1st 2025.
According to Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, the inexpensive e-cigarettes have become a health risk because they provide young people with an easy way to start smoking and develop a nicotine addiction. He added that, “they create hazardous waste chemicals still present in what people throw away.”
“We are really calling on the European Commission to come forward now with new initiatives to update, to moderate, the tobacco legislation”, Vandenbrouke stated, expressing his desire for the changes to go beyond Belgium.
“Misguided Health Gamble” – WVA
Michael Landl, Director of World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has warned that the nationwide ban on disposable vapes in France disregards scientific evidence and could have serious unintended consequences for both individual freedom and public health, potentially undermining progress in tobacco harm reduction.
“Numerous studies have shown that e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can be an effective tool for smoking cessation. By removing one of these options, French lawmakers are pushing vapes back to more harmful tobacco products or into the arms of the black market.
“As we’ve seen time and time again, prohibition rarely works as intended. This ban is likely to create a thriving illegal market for disposable vapes, putting consumers at risk and making it even harder to regulate product quality and safety.”
Landl added that disposable vapes are an essential entry-level product for smokers wishing to make the switch, with a number of benefits that make them especially alluring to smokers who want to try vaping as a cessation method.
“Firstly, disposable vapes require no prior knowledge or technical expertise to use, making them incredibly user-friendly for those intimidated by more complex vaping systems. Secondly, disposables have a lower initial cost compared to rechargeable devices, allowing smokers to try vaping without a significant financial commitment. This low barrier to entry encourages experimentation and can be a deciding factor for those on the fence about quitting smoking. Additionally, disposable vapes come pre-filled and pre-charged, eliminating the need for separate e-liquid purchases or battery maintenance, which can be overwhelming for beginners.”
Landl continued with his concern of the disposable ban regarding the potential general impact on public health, highlighting how millions of smokers have been able to quit smoking traditional cigarettes, revolutionising tobacco harm reduction. He warns that France runs the risk of undoing years of success in lowering smoking rates by outlawing one of the most widely used and easily available forms of vaping.
He concluded that “France’s decision to ban disposable e-cigarettes is a misguided attempt to address complex public health and environmental issues. It’s a policy that ignores science, threatens harm reduction efforts, and could ultimately do more harm than good.” Landl urges advocates of tobacco harm reduction to continue pushing for reasonable, evidence-based policies that safeguard the public’s health while upholding consumers’ freedom and choice.
UK and Ireland to Follow France
Ireland is set to implement a ban after their government approved legislation last year, whilst the UK’s disposable vape ban is set to be implemented June 1st 2025. Initially, Scotland announced their plan for a ban to take effect April 1st 2025, however, in alignment with the UK-wide ban they have now delayed it until June 1st.
ACS Comprehensive Guide
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has released a thorough guide, titled “Selling Vapes Responsibly”, to help retailers navigate this regulatory shift in anticipation of the UK’s impending ban on disposable vapes that will come into effect by June 1st 2025.
Retailers are advised to sell off any remaining disposable vape stock before this date, and any unsold stock must be clearly marked as “not for sale” and stored separately from items available for purchase.
The guide also emphasises that all vape products must adhere to UK regulations. These include:
- the maximum size of a refill container is 10ml
- the maximum nicotine content allowed for vapes is 20mg/ml
- health warning must cover 30% of the front and back of the pack
- the health warning must read: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance
- list of ingredients in nicotine-containing liquid, if present
- the product must indicate the nicotine content and delivery per dose
- batch number
- recommendation to keep the product out of the reach of children
- offers and discounts, products safety/health claims are prohibited on packs
- vapes that are charged from the mains electrical supply should bear the CE mark or UKCA mark (UK Conformity Assessed) to show compliance with safety standards
- packaging must contain the manufacturer or importer name and contact details
A key focus of the guide is preventing underage sales. Retailers are strongly encouraged to adopt age verification policies, such as the Challenge 25 scheme, to ensure that no vapes are sold to individuals under the age of 18. Staff should receive adequate training on these policies, and clear signage must be displayed to reinforce age restrictions.
Lastly, the guide outlines the potential consequences for non-compliance, which could include penalties or legal action. Retailers are urged to keep records of their suppliers and stock to ensure they can demonstrate compliance during inspections. By following these guidelines, retailers can sell vapes responsibly and in accordance with the law, ensuring the safety and well-being of their customers.
