Even with a 70% Tobacco Price Hike... France "Plans to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes"

French Prime Minister "Plan to Combat Smoking to Be Announced Soon"

France, known as one of the countries with expensive cigarette prices, is considering banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes to prevent smoking among young people.

On the 3rd (local time), according to local media such as daily Le Figaro and Le Parisien, French Prime Minister ?lisabeth Borne appeared on RTL Radio and stated, "Every year, 75,000 people die from smoking in France."

Prime Minister Borne said, "We will soon announce a new national plan to combat smoking, including a ban on disposable e-cigarettes."

According to a survey by an anti-smoking organization, about 13% of young people in France used disposable e-cigarettes sold at tobacco shops and supermarkets for 8 to 12 euros (approximately 11,000 to 17,000 won) last year. Borne said e-cigarettes can instill bad habits in young people, leading to nicotine addiction.

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Le Parisien reported that cigarette consumption in France had stagnated from 2014 to 2019 but began to increase again last year.

In particular, as of 2021, 32% of adults aged 18 to 75 were found to smoke, and among them, 25% smoked every day without exception.

Previously, the French government raised cigarette prices by about 70% over the past decade to reduce national cigarette consumption. Currently, certain cigarettes cost more than 11 euros (approximately 15,000 won) per pack.

Lowering Smoking Rates... Countries Declaring 'War on Tobacco'

Unlike in the past when cigarettes were considered a luxury item, recently, countries around the world have been improving regulations toward banning tobacco.

New Zealand, known for its strong anti-smoking policies, has decided to reduce the smoking rate to below 5% by 2025. To achieve this, in December last year, the New Zealand Parliament passed a law banning the sale of cigarettes to people born after January 1, 2009.

Also, Switzerland, which has had the most lenient tobacco culture in Europe, recently took steps to regulate tobacco. In Switzerland, a bill banning cigarette advertisements in public places visible to youth was passed by a national referendum in February. Until now, Switzerland had allowed most tobacco advertisements except on TV and radio media.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.