Paris - Brussels: Agencies
France has banned single-use electronic cigarettes "Pav" due to their health risks and nicotine addiction among teenagers, despite their continued illegal sale online. Violators face heavy fines, amid warnings of their impact on the developing brain and their serious environmental repercussions. According to what was published by the European news network in Brussels "Euronews" on Thursday morning, the French authorities banned single-use electronic cigarettes known as "Pav", in a legislative step taken by parliament, which doctors and anti-smoking associations described as long overdue, given the health and addictive risks they pose to teenagers. These cigarettes have spread with their sweet flavor and attractive design among young people, making them a new gateway to nicotine addiction at an early age.
These products are very popular among teenagers, as they have become part of their daily lifestyle. Lucas, 14 years old, says: "I smoke with my friends in the evening, and sometimes during the day, after school on my way home," an admission that reflects the extent of the spread of this phenomenon among his peers. Some versions available on the market contain up to 9,000 puffs of nicotine, equivalent to consuming 18 packs of traditional cigarettes, increasing the risk of nicotine addiction to an unprecedented degree among young people.
Despite the ban coming into effect on 13 February, these cigarettes are still sold online for up to €15 each, with offenders facing fines of up to €100,000. Data indicate that more than one in ten teenagers aged 13 to 16 have tried this type of e-cigarette, raising concerns about its negative effects on public health.
In this context, Dr Anne Stubner-Delbar, an addiction specialist, warns of the dire consequences of using nicotine at this age, saying: “Nicotine affects the developing brain, altering its basic functions. Frequent use can damage areas of the brain responsible for concentration, mood, self-control and even learning.” In addition to the health risks, these cigarettes pose a serious environmental threat, as they are made of plastic and lithium batteries, which makes them non-recyclable, and exacerbates the waste and environmental pollution crisis. Despite efforts to limit the spread of these products, their continued illegal availability poses a major challenge to health authorities, who seek to protect young generations from falling into the trap of addiction, and from the health and environmental risks caused by these electronic cigarettes.