France considers banning the use of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, in several public places. The French Health ministry has also proposed plans to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes in a bid to reduce smoking rates in the country, especially amongst teens.
Scientists and health advocates agree that smoking may lead to the development of various diseases in an individual. Some countries across the world such as Australia and the U.S. have been successful in reducing smoking rates in the country and now France is introducing stricter laws, which may help the country reduce smoking habits in its residents.
Marisol Touraine, France's Health Minister, revealed that about 30 percent of the country's population are smokers. More than 70,000 people die each year due to smoking related illnesses in France. Touraine's anti-smoking strategy, which will be hosted in stages over the next two years, is mainly aimed to create the country's first-generation of non-smokers by 2030.
"We have set an ambitious goal: to succeed in making children born today the first 'non-smoking' generation in 20 years," per Touraine.
Per Touraine's plan, cigarettes will be sold in plain packaging, which will have limited advertising. The brand name of the cigarette will be written in small letters just under a graphic-based health warning.
Many people who want to get rid of smoking tobacco-based cigarettes are switching to e-cigarettes. Previous reports suggest that the popularity of e-cigarettes is also growing progressively in many countries. E-cigarettes throw out vapor instead of smoke, which is considered extremely less harmful in comparison.
However, the French government plans to restrict e-cigarette usage as well. Touraine suggests that e-cigarettes will be banned in cars with children under the age of 12 years. The use of e-cigarettes will also be prohibited in schools, closed workplaces and while using public transport.
Advertising of e-cigarettes will also be limited before a complete ban in 2016. However, advertising may continue in trade publications and at the point of sales. The French research firms suggest that about 18 percent of the total French population between the age of 18 and 75 years have tried e-cigarettes.
The French health ministry cites similar plain packaging rules introduced by the Australian government in 2012, which has helped reduce smoking habits in Australians.
Tobacco firms are not happy with France's latest anti-tobacco plans. Pascal Montredon, who is the president of the French tobacconists' confederation, expressed his grief over the latest anti-tobacco plan and says that the plan is not expected to attack the smoking problem but the new plan will attack small businesses related to the smoking industry.
