Meeting a young person in the street handling a colored object that he puts in his mouth like a cigarette has become common. These are puffs, disposable e-cigarettes, which have infiltrated the daily lives of the youngest, presenting significant risks. Hence the forthcoming ban on these products.
With their mild flavor and vibrant packaging, puffs have managed to fit into the everyday life of teenagers. Unlike rechargeable e-cigarettes, puffs are ready to use, the desired flavor (marshmallow, cotton candy, pineapple, mango…) being already incorporated into the device. Their affordable cost makes them particularly appealing to younger children. Originally from the United States, puffs, literally translated as “puff”, could be an airlock to smoking for the youngest. A study carried out by Action Against Tobacco (ACT) reveals that 13% of young people aged 13 to 16 have already tested the puff.
The disposable electronic cigarettes sector weighs around 140 million euros per year out of the 3.6 billion euros in annual gross turnover of tobacconists. Despite their harmless appearance, these electronic cigarettes remain harmful for their users. This is why the Prime Minister announced on September 3 the upcoming ban on puffs. “We will soon present a new national plan to fight against smoking, including in particular the banning of disposable electronic cigarettes (…) which encourage young people to adopt bad habits”, said Elisabeth Borne on RTL.
The National Academy of Medicine sounded the alarm last February. “The e-cigarette produces an aerosol, with or without nicotine, intended to be inhaled”, she said in a statement. Although it is less dangerous than the “classic” cigarette, specialists stress that it should only be used by smokers seeking to quit smoking. Indeed, the use of a puff “increases the risk of inflammation of the respiratory tract and affects cognitive abilities”, as reported by the Senate in December 2022.
What’s next after this ad
Enthusiasm for puffs worries healthcare professionals
“We are creating the next generation of smokers”feared Loïc Josseran, president of the Alliance Against Tobacco, in October 2022. For its part, the National Academy of Medicine warned against a “a real trap set for children and adolescents to lead them to an addiction to tobacco products. The puff, which is disposable, is made of plastic and has a lithium battery”. She also pointed out that it is a toxic waste “which is in addition to the 4.500 billion cigarette butts thrown away each year in the world”.
Sweet seduction and vivacious packaging: the rise of puffs among the young. Originally from the United States, puffs, literally translated as “puff”, could be an airlock to smoking for the youngest. A study carried out by Action Against Tobacco (ACT) reveals that 13% of young people aged 13 to 16 have already tested the puff.
Enthusiasm for puffs has healthcare professionals concerned. “We are creating the next generation of smokers”, feared Loïc Josseran, president of the Alliance Against Tobacco, in October 2022. For its part, the National Academy of Medicine warned against a “real trap set for children and adolescents to lead them to an addiction to tobacco products. The puff, which is disposable, is made of plastic and a lithium battery.. She also pointed out that it is a toxic waste “which is in addition to the 4.500 billion cigarette butts thrown away each year in the world”.