French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has unveiled plans to prohibit disposable electronic cigarettes, emphasising the importance of this decision for public health.

She announced this during an interview on the RTL radio station this Sunday.

Borne stressed that the government is in the process of developing a comprehensive national programme to combat tobacco use, which accounts for a staggering 75,000 annual deaths in France.

Furthermore, she explained that disposable e-cigarettes, often referred to as “puff” devices, contribute to the development of habits among young individuals that can ultimately lead to tobacco addiction.

Despite these measures to discourage smoking, the government does not intend to implement a tobacco tax hike for the upcoming year, following an increase earlier this year, as confirmed by the prime minister.

In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled an ambitious agenda to address issues related to tobacco and alcohol.

The plan includes creating more smoke-free areas and aiming to make all 20-year-olds in the country tobacco-free by the year 2030, marking a significant step towards promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the impact of tobacco-related illnesses.