Science and Evidence on Vaping: France Can and Must Take the Lead Again
The European Commission’s assessment report in preparation for the upcoming Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) has just been published. To justify all sorts of coercive measures and restrictions—and to extend them across Europe—the authors argue that vaping does not aid in smoking cessation and that, on the contrary, it serves as a gateway to smoking.
This is unacceptable. It’s as false as claiming the Earth is flat. The data is abundant, reliable, and conclusive. This “review of reviews” of meta-analyses and studies on vaping from 2015 to 2024 has just confirmed this once again. And the most respected scientific institutions completely contradict these claims: Cochrane, the Royal College of Physicians, and Nicotine & Tobacco Research were all ignored in the EU report!
France must firmly oppose these absurd conclusions and propose an alternative vaping policy that serves the public interest. To this end, it has strong grounds for upholding science and common sense, thanks to the recent work of its public and independent health agencies.
The OFDT demonstrates, through all of its latest publications, that the gateway effect does not exist. On the contrary, smoking among young people has plummeted in France since the advent of vaping, and nicotine use, regardless of the delivery method, is also declining.
TheANSES report, praised by all experts for its rigor, confirms that vaping involves lower risks than smoking and is more effective as a smoking cessation aid than nicotine replacement therapies. The agency, which operates under the Ministry of Health, recommends against imposing a surtax on vaping, and advocates for regulating and ensuring the safety of products through standards, but not restricting flavors. It recommends not discouraging vaping for pregnant women who smoke and are unable to quit using other methods, and calls for an end to the confusion and misinformation regarding the relative risks between vaping and cigarettes.
Other French studies and publications reach similar conclusions: INSERM, SFT, SPF, Institut Pasteur, etc. Among experts and practitioners in the field, there is a consensus on the risk-benefit balance: vaping represents a significant risk reduction compared to cigarettes or heated tobacco; it is effective in helping smokers quit; however, as a precaution, it should be discouraged for non-smokers because it is likely not entirely harmless—a point clearly reiterated by ANSES, and one that no one in our industry has ever disputed.
So far, vaping has served this purpose only among smokers, because it has been promoted primarily by specialists and independent professionals outside the tobacco industry. Millions of people have quit smoking thanks to vaping. As Santé publique France points out, nearly all daily vapers have a history of tobacco use.
As a result, vaping has become the tobacco industry’s number one enemy, and the industry is furious and doing everything it can to undermine it. The episode of *Complément d’Enquête* that aired on March 19 is eye-opening! I invite you to read, reread, or share my post, as it’s important to understand the situation: *Complément d’Enquête* exposes Big Tobacco’s strategy against vaping.
In light of these abuses, industry professionals naturally seek regulations that protect ethical and responsible vaping intended to help people quit smoking. With its French manufacturers, wholesalers, thousands of retail stores, and specialized e-commerce businesses, our sector—which is independent of the tobacco industry—is an asset, and FIVAPE is a reliable and knowledgeable partner. Given the public health stakes—the very same ones that motivated the creation of our companies—we are fully aware of the responsibilities that fall upon us.
It was in this constructive and committed spirit that our general meeting took place on March 30 in Paris, with a record turnout. This year, we organized a morning session titled “Experts and Roundtable” for our members prior to the meeting, focusing on the ANSES scientific report and the challenges facing the industry. Professor Gérard DUBOIS of the National Academy of Medicine, Sébastien SOULET, a research fellow at Ingésciences, and David SAINT-VINCENT, a psychologist and board member of the Fédération Addiction, delivered insightful and informative presentations, followed by a lively and engaging roundtable discussion.
These rich and open discussions inspired and energized the members ahead of the General Assembly, which took place that afternoon. Discussions were very lively regarding FIVAPE’s numerous proposals to regulate and protect vaping, as well as the role the independent sector should play. Following the events surrounding Article 23, and thanks to FIVAPE’s ability to take action and mobilize, dozens of stakeholders have joined the organization: we have never been so numerous and united.
It is time for us to take the initiative again. We are preparing our next steps. The upcoming budget bill will not be passed without our input. And we will work to ensure that France fully assumes its responsibilities regarding EU regulatory proposals, drawing on the work of its health agencies—of which it can be proud and which it should rightly be commended for.
Jean MOIROUD
President of FIVAPE
