France set to announce vaping bans

The French government could be set to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in public places and the workplace, according to a story in The Local Europe.

Sales of electronic cigarettes are said to be booming in France and the country’s Health Minister, Marisol Touraine, was expected yesterday to be handed a report that puts these devices largely in a positive light.

The report is based on a study commissioned in March and carried out by the pulmonologist, Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg.

The Local said that a radio RTL story had predicted that Touraine was nevertheless going to announce a ban.

At present, employers have discretion as to whether or not to allow the use of electronic cigarettes by employees.

A ban is likely to do serious damage to the electronic cigarette industry. One supplier made the point that 20 per cent of its business was tied up in selling disposable products to restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels.

The Local said that about half a million French people were estimated to be using electronic cigarettes as a way of weaning themselves off traditional cigarettes.