Just like Stoptober in the UK, and other places around the world, the French have a month dedicated to increasing awareness about ways to quit smoking. As opposed to some countries, however, the French have embraced vaping as one of the main methods that they recommend to smokers trying to quit.

The Tabac Info Service website, hosted under the umbrella of Santé publique France (Public Health France), the French national agency for public health, recommends to those who quit that they chose electronic cigarettes as one of the options to quit.

I think this is an incredible achievement, and Public Health France is setting an excellent example of publicly promoting e-cigarettes, which are proven to be less harmful than smoking, and more efficient than other methods to quit.

Beyond that, the message about vaping that Public Health France sends worldwide, to governments and policymakers is extremely important: one of the most respected public health authorities is on the right side of history and of the health of its citizens.

Vaping has helped millions around the world to quit smoking, and will surely help many more in the decades to come, but more policymakers need to pay attention to the science and the experiences of those who vape.

Our voices need to grow louder, the French model has to resonate further than France, further than Europe. We will not stop fighting until every country will partake in a similar initiative. If you want to be part of our community and raise your voice about the benefits of vaping, start by clicking here to join the World Vapers’ Alliance. Meanwhile, spread the message about how the French got it right on vaping to your policymakers.

Michele Landl