In a study published Monday, February 13, the prevention association denounces the growing market for disposable electronic cigarettes and other articles that particularly target young people. It requires more controls on points of sale and the immediate ban on aromas, with the exception of tobacco flavor.
by ysé rieffel
In tobacco offices, displays, posters, stickers or animated screens promote nicotine sachets, heated tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Despite very strict legislation, nearly seven out of ten tobacconists are in violation by displaying advertisements for these new tobacco and vaping products. This is the result of a study conducted from 2020 to 2022 by the National Committee against Tabgism (CNCT), published Monday, February 13. Faced with these advertising offenses, the association requires more controls and sanctions. And alert on the very rapid development of a market targeting more particularly young people, in particular by the use of aromas.
Since 2016, the Public Health Code provides for a total advertising prohibition for tobacco products. Online, as in stores. For electronic cigarettes, the law authorizes a poster not visible from the outside of the place of sale. According to the study, 84.5 % of tobacconists advertising for vaping are illegally. In the 615 establishments visited, 1,194 advertisements for vaping products were identified: 43 % of them were visible from the outside, and three quarters did not respect the authorized format.
“We are confronted with an extremely offensive strategy of the tobacco industry, explains Emmanuelle Béguinot, director of the National Committee against Tobagism. Faced with the decline of cigarettes, these new tobacco products appear with a view to domination of the domination of nicotine market. “
sweet tastes
In their viewfinder, the evolution of the vaping products market, all the more with the arrival of a new generation of electronic cigarettes, the puffs. Light, easy to use and disposable, they appeared in 2019 in the United States. As part of its surveys, the CNCT identifies their arrival in France in September 2021 and began to alert. “The evolution of this market is extremely rapid, with this phenomenon of aromas. This is what makes us important to pull the alarm sound,” insists M me Béguinot.
mango, red fruits, marshmallow … It points to a map of flavors which refers to the universe of confectionery: “And therefore, we forget that we are in the consumption of a drug.” Puffs with colorful packaging are very popular with young consumers, even in colleges, despite the ban on sales to minors.
Online, the products are widely promoted by brands, between promotions, loyalty program, sponsorization of musical or sports events, with this constant highlighting aromas. Incituration continues with influencers who boast tastes, but also their design and low harmfulness, compared to those of traditional cigarettes. Like Sarah Fraisou, reality TV candidate, very followed on Snapcha. On the side of Tiktok, young consumers stage themselves, test the flavors, thus trivializing their use.
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