Prohibited in France, when, what fine?

MINI disposable electronic cigarette that has been a hit among young people since its appearance in 2021, the “Puff“is now prohibited in France. The decision was made by the Senate in Parliament on February 13, 2025. It should come into force “In the coming days” According to the Ministry of Finance. The public health code now provides that the sale, sale, distribution or free offer of disposable electronic cigarettes, said “puffs“are prohibited. Detention to sell, distribute or offer such e-cigarettes is also prohibited. The violation of these prohibitions will be sanctioned by a fine of 100,000 euros maximum (200,000 euros in the event of recidivism ). “It is a great victory in a double fight that we are doing: the ecological fight against the polluting lithium batteries of these puffs, and the health fight for our college students targeted by this consumption which becomes more and more dangerous” reacted the former ecologist deputy Francesca Pasquini at the origin of the bill to prohibit the PUFF, to AFP. The sale of puff cigarettes was already prohibited for minors in France.

What is the puff?

There “Puff“is a mini pre-filled and pre-loaded electronic cigarette, disposable, diffusing sweet aromas like candy (strawberry tastes, pineapple, grapes etc).” Puff “is called a puff in English. The term comes from vaporization an electronic cigarette, as it looks like “taffe“For a puff issued by a classic cigarette. The puff appeared in 2019 in the United States. It was created by two Californians, Patrick Beltran and Nick Minas, Co-PDG of Puff Bar. The trend was propelled in France via The Tiktok social network.

What is the composition of the puff?

The disposable electronic cigarette consists of resistance, battery and e-liquid. The battery heats the resistance which heats the vaping fluid in turn. According to the National Agency Safety National Food Safety (ANSES), the majority of e-liquids declared on the French market are made up of dilution support such as propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin, sometimes water and Ethanol, nicotine and substances conferring taste (vanillin, maltol, menthol, esters with fruity odors). There are also sugars and sweeteners (glucose/fructose, success), acids used in nicotine salts and plant extracts.

What are the dangers of the Puff for Health?

Puff is dangerous when it contains nicotine (which is the case for the majority of products sold in France to the ban). “”The main danger is nicotine addiction that it will trigger“Explains Loïc Josserand, president of the alliance against tobacco.”If we ingest this product for several months, we have 100% chance of becoming dependent on nicotine“Confirms Amine Benyamina, head of psychiatry and addictology department. From this mischief flows a second danger:”Then start smoking real cigarettes by addiction“Explains Dr. Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist.”Among the adolescents using the PUFF, 28% of them began their initiation to nicotine through this product and 17% of them then turned to another form of product of nicotine or tobacco ” Indicates the alliance against tobacco. “”Composed of nicotine salts, the use of puff increases the risks of developing inflammation of the respiratory tract and impacts the cognitive acquisitions of the youngest“Add act. In addition “Puff electronic cigarettes are flavored and we do not know what these aromas contain“Prevents Dr. Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist.

Is there nicotine in the puff?

Most puffs contain nicotine, legally up to 2% nicotine or 20mg/ml. There are versions of disposable electronic cigarettes without nicotine.

What is the price of a puff?

Electronic vapingists “Puff“Are sold between 8 and 12 euros. These disposable cigarettes are offered among tobacconists but also in certain supermarkets and on the Internet.

Thank you to Dr Frédéric Le Guillou, pulmonologist and president of the Association Health Respiratory de France.