Vaping is not smoking: our take on the buzz around vaping

In recent weeks, several alarming reports — notably from the European Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO) — have reignited the debate around electronic cigarettes among young people. Some media have relayed strong statements pointing the finger at the vaping industry, accused of misleading consumers and targeting young people with supposedly "less harmful" products.

At Le Vapoteur Discount, as a specialist and responsible retailer, it is important for us to respond clearly, factually and with full transparency regarding the bad buzz around vaping among young people.

The electronic cigarette remains the best smoking cessation tool available to date

It is important to recall an essential truth: no health authority claims that the electronic cigarette is without risk. But it is unquestionably less harmful than the traditional cigarette.

According to Public Health England (British health agency), vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. This position is supported by many public health experts, including the National Cancer Institute (INCa) in France, which indicates that vaping can be an effective harm reduction tool in a smoking cessation approach.

What science actually says

• Tobacco kills more than 75,000 people per year in France (source: Santé Publique France);
• The combustion of tobacco is responsible for the majority of cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases linked to smoking;
• The electronic cigarette does not contain tobacco and does not produce combustion. It therefore drastically reduces exposure to carcinogenic substances;
• Recent data from the Cochrane Library, a reference scientific source, confirms that vaping is more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gums, etc.) for quitting smoking.

Vaping must never be used by minors — and we are uncompromising on this point

We have read, like you, the alarming figures reported by the WHO: according to their estimates, 15 million young people aged 13 to 15 vape worldwide. This data on vaping among young people must be taken very seriously.

On our website, we have put strict measures in place:

• Mandatory age verification at the time of purchase;
• No marketing aimed at young people or non-smokers;
• Clear prevention message: "Our products are intended solely for adult smokers. We strongly advise against them for minors, non-smokers, pregnant women and at-risk individuals."

We firmly condemn any strategy aimed at normalizing nicotine or vaping among young people, and we are committed to a regulated, responsible vaping experience reserved for those seeking to quit smoking.

Taxing vaping like tobacco? A public health mistake

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra proposes raising taxes on vaping products, equating them with tobacco products. But this approach goes against the recommendations of public health experts.

In France, rising tobacco prices have helped reduce consumption. But taxing vaping in the same way would discourage smokers from switching to a less harmful alternative.

Several countries, such as the United Kingdom, have adopted the opposite approach, namely encouraging vaping as a way to quit tobacco, while firmly prohibiting sales to minors.

What we stand for

At Le Vapoteur Discount, we are neither the tobacco industry nor its representatives. We are independent professionals, convinced that:

• Harm reduction is a necessary strategy to save lives;
• Alternative nicotine products must be regulated, but not demonized;
• Prevention among young people must remain an absolute priority;
• The freedom of adult smokers to choose a less harmful alternative must be protected.

Vaping deserves an honest and nuanced debate

Yes, vigilance is necessary. Yes, selling to minors is unacceptable, just as selling alcohol to them is. But no, vaping is not a trap for young people orchestrated by the industry. It is above all a cessation tool, already used successfully by millions of former smokers.

We call on the media, decision-makers and the general public not to throw vaping out with the tobacco bathwater. Together, let's build an ethical, adult-oriented vaping culture that is beneficial for public health.