France is at a crossroads in tobacco management. Whereas policymakers debate tighter restrictions on safer nicotine merchandise, flamable cigarettes proceed to kill an estimated 75,000 individuals every year. Towards that backdrop, the important thing query shouldn’t be whether or not vaping is totally threat free, however whether or not it meaningfully reduces hurt in comparison with smoking. The proof signifies that it does.
A current scientific evaluation by ANSES, based mostly on almost 3,000 research and worldwide studies, has been broadly cited as a warning about potential cardiovascular, respiratory and doable most cancers associated dangers of e-cigarettes. The company stated that the absence of combustion doesn’t imply zero publicity, and highlighted that customers might inhale aldehydes and different irritants, whereas nicotine itself can elevate coronary heart fee and blood stress.
Nonetheless, crucial conclusion is usually underplayed. ANSES made clear that the absence of combustion, that means the burning of tobacco that produces 1000’s of poisonous byproducts, is the principal well being benefit of vaping. Its professional panel acknowledged that the general dangers of e-cigarettes are decrease than these of smoking. For anybody targeted on tobacco hurt discount, that distinction is prime.
Most vapers are former or present people who smoke
France now counts greater than three million each day vapers, round six % of the inhabitants. Practically one third have been vaping for greater than 4 years, suggesting that many former people who smoke are sustaining their change somewhat than utilizing vaping briefly. Crucially, ANSES reported that solely about 2 % of grownup vapers have by no means smoked. Vaping in France is subsequently overwhelmingly concentrated amongst present and former people who smoke, the very group that advantages from shifting away from flamable tobacco. This sample displays findings elsewhere.
Evaluations by Public Well being England and later updates from the Workplace for Well being Enchancment and Disparities have constantly concluded that vaping exposes customers to far fewer poisonous substances than cigarettes. The Royal Faculty of Physicians has additionally warned that extreme restrictions on safer nicotine merchandise might unintentionally maintain smoking by discouraging switching.
Vapes for smoking cessation
Even ANSES acknowledged that vapes will help people who smoke give up, notably those that haven’t succeeded with conventional nicotine substitute therapies. This aligns with medical analysis, together with randomised trials exhibiting increased give up charges with vaping in comparison with gum or lozenges. The sensible message is obvious. For people who smoke who can not or don’t want to give up nicotine totally, switching to a non flamable product considerably reduces publicity to the chemical substances liable for most cancers, heart problems and continual lung circumstances.
Youth uptake stays a delicate problem. A 2023 survey cited by ANSES discovered that amongst 13 to 17 yr olds who vape, almost one third had by no means smoked or had solely experimented as soon as. Defending younger individuals is crucial, and this requires age verification, accountable advertising and enforcement in opposition to unlawful gross sales. But it’s equally essential to not undermine grownup hurt discount by treating all nicotine use as equally harmful.
Restrictions and excessive costs are pushing customers underground
When safer nicotine merchandise are restricted or stigmatised, many customers don’t merely give up. As an alternative, they appear elsewhere, weakening regulatory oversight and doubtlessly growing threat.
Market dynamics add one other layer. A nationwide survey by Ifop of three,000 grownup people who smoke and vapers discovered that rising costs and regulatory stress are driving many customers to cross border and casual markets. Greater than half of people who smoke reported shopping for cigarettes overseas prior to now yr, notably close to Spain and Andorra. Practically one quarter stated that they had obtained tobacco from unauthorised home sellers.
Banned in 2025, disposable vapes proceed to flow into via on-line platforms and casual retail. Amongst decrease revenue teams and youthful males, shopping for outdoors official channels has turn out to be frequent. Worth was cited much more typically than comfort as the principle cause. Even when individuals acknowledged that illicit merchandise would possibly pose higher dangers, monetary pressures often outweighed security considerations.
This illustrates a recurring downside. When safer nicotine merchandise are restricted or stigmatised, many customers don’t merely give up. As an alternative, they appear elsewhere, weakening regulatory oversight and doubtlessly growing threat. Specialists within the subject have lengthy highlighted that hurt discount capabilities greatest inside a transparent authorized framework that units product requirements, ensures high quality management and retains gross sales inside authorised channels.
Public understanding stays a problem. ANSES itself noticed that many French residents imagine vaping is as dangerous as, or extra dangerous than, smoking. That notion shouldn’t be supported by the burden of present proof and should deter people who smoke from switching, prolonging publicity to flamable tobacco.
The balanced means ahead
France continues to face a heavy smoking burden. Cigarettes stay the main explanation for preventable loss of life nationwide. On this context, the significant comparability shouldn’t be between vaping and excellent well being, however between vaping and continued smoking.
A balanced technique is totally doable. Implement strict youth protections, keep excessive product requirements, assist ongoing analysis and talk dangers precisely. On the identical time, recognise that eliminating combustion dramatically reduces poisonous publicity. For tens of millions of people who smoke, entry to regulated, decrease threat alternate options can translate into substantial well being features.
If France goals to scale back smoking associated illness, coverage ought to replicate relative threat and actual world behaviour. Treating all nicotine merchandise as the identical ignores the central function of combustion in driving hurt. Proof based mostly tobacco hurt discount gives a practical path ahead, one which protects younger individuals whereas giving grownup people who smoke a reputable route away from probably the most harmful type of nicotine use.
Europe’s Tobacco Crossroads: Will France Lead or Lag Behind?
