France Announces “Smoke-Free Generation” Program, Bans Disposable E-Cigarettes, Raises Tobacco Prices

France has announced the “Smokefree Generation” initiative, which aims to create a “smokefree generation” in France by 2032, a commitment made by current French President Emmanuel Macron. In order to achieve this goal, the French Minister of Health and Prevention Aurélien Rousseau told the public at the launch of the national anti-smoking program that “raising the price of tobacco” is the most effective anti-smoking measure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and all independent studies. The two main pillars of the program are “stronger taxes and bans on tobacco,” including a ban on the use of disposable e-cigarettes.

France says the price increases are intended to prevent young people from consuming and reduce affordability for the consumer base. Currently, many brands of tobacco are priced at €11 per pack of 20. That price is expected to rise to at least €13 in 2026, during which time it will increase to €12 for the first time in 2025. And the price of cigarettes should rise from January 1, 2024 onwards.

For disposable e-cigarettes, France believes that they will be banned as it is required for public health and environmental reasons. It was also mentioned that the sale of disposable e-cigarettes will be banned, especially products favored by teenagers, a decision bill will be presented cross-party, which has already been examined by the committee and considered on December 4 in the Chamber of Deputies.

In addition, Russo announced that all beaches, public parks and forests, as well as some public places, especially around schools, will become smoke-free zones. It also intends to continue the work done in recent years to make tobacco unattractive by creating logo-free, neutral packaging for all tobacco and e-cigarette products.

France, one of the world's key markets for e-cigarettes, has more than 2.8 million of its 67 million people who are e-cigarette users. According to some overseas data, in 2022, France has 23,500 tobacco stores, which can realize annual sales of 3.6 billion euros, of which disposable e-cigarettes accounted for 140 million euros, which can be seen disposable in the French status can not be underestimated. Its national market value of electronic cigarettes has been above 8 billion yuan.

Global electronic atomization pattern may be changing! At present, some European countries are already deploying electronic atomization initiatives next year, which is expected to round of changes on the way, China's sea electronic cigarette manufacturers should pay more attention to the changes, and make timely responses.