Paris, 25 March 2024 — In France, a parliamentary committee approved a divieto on disposable vapes. The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) urges policymakers to reconsider the far-reaching consequences of this move on public health and harm reduction.

Michael Landl, direttore della WVA, afferma:, “"Il proibizionismo non funziona. Non ha mai funzionato e non funzionerà mai. Un divieto sulle sigarette elettroniche usa e getta non eliminerà la domanda, ma la sposterà dai mercati regolamentati al mercato nero, creando conseguenze negative e indesiderate per la salute pubblica."”

The ban on disposable vapes is counterproductive to harm reduction, Landl further states. “Disposable vapes can act as a crucial stepping stone for smokers looking to quit. They offer an easy entry point, and many smokers eventually transition to other vape devices. Making that path from smoking to vaping as frictionless as possible is essential for public health. While cigarettes, known to be extremely harmful, remain readily available, banning a 95% less harmful alternative defies logic.”

The ban aims to ‘guarantee a high level of public health protection, especially safeguarding young people and non-smokers from proven health risks.’ However, the WVA highlights that vaping, including disposable vapes, is significantly meno dannoso than smoking cigarettes. Pushing these products into the black market poses a greater public health risk than regulated, quality-controlled products sold with age verification.